"It takes community out of community when this happens.''

Lachlan Shire mayor John Medcalf says it's sad news that the small agencies of the Bendigo Bank in Condoblin and Lake Cargelligo will be cut from October.

''It's disappointing to hear this news, there were whispers about it but it's not good,'' he said.

''I am heartbroken for small community groups."

Lachlan's mayor speaking from Sydney said he would look at the issue further when home.

A public relations person for Bendigo Bank said following a review of evolving customer preferences, a reduction in business activity and an increase in costs and compliance obligations, Bendigo Bank’s agency model will be retired.  

‘’As a result, Bendigo Bank will be closing agencies in Condoblin and Lake Cargelligo on October 10,‘’ they said in a statement to the Western Plains App yesterday, (Tuesday 22 July).

"The Bank is in the process of communicating this change to customers and apologises for any inconvenience," the spokesperson said.

Small agencies agreements in Cowra, Grenfell and Crookwell will also close.

Established more than 30 years ago, Bendigo Bank’s agency network enabled the Bank to offer limited banking services via third party businesses in areas where there was not enough demand to sustain a branch.

According to their statement, Bendigo Bank is 'proud of its regional heritage and has Australia’s second largest regional branch network.'

"Bendigo Bank is committed to its physical network and operates more branches per customer than any other bank in Australia," they said.

"To preserve its ability to continue delivering for its customers and communities, the Bank must balance its physical network with the need to continue investing in the changing preferences of our 2.7 million customers."

In a statement to the ASX in 2024, the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited reported a statutory net profit after tax of $545 million, up 9.7 per cent for the year.