The Portland Business Association Incorporation ran the meeting. Residents, Lithgow City deputy mayor Wayne McAndrew, Lithgow City Councillors and CEO of Family First Credit Union Darryl Macauley were in attendance. 

According to Portland Business Association president Andrew Neville, he invited the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank to attend the meeting three weeks prior but the night before the meeting he declined with no formal apology. 

The association agreed a move should be made to contact the Senate’s Standing Committee on Economics regarding the decision the Commonwealth Bank had made and the attitude the bank had shown towards the community with the closure of the Portland branch. 

It also moved to contact the Australian Bankers Association, as members believed the Commonwealth bank had not done its part as a responsible body within the community. Mr Neville read from the Australian Bankers Association about Branch Closure Protocal processes when there was no access to alternative banking services. 

It stated banks must “actively engage with customers and the community and formally respond to queries and concerns about the closure of the branch”. 

“That will hold some weight with the standing committee as well,” Lithgow City Council deputy mayor Wayne McAndrew said. 

Cr McAndrew said the Senate should have been made aware of the branch closure by federal member for Calare Andrew Gee. 

“I don’t know where the senate is up to but it is important to get something in, you need to get that in as quick as possible through Mr Gee’s office,” he said. 

Councillor Stephen Lesslie recommended that the association make the letter as bipartisan as possible. 

“Speak to senator Kristina Keneally and get the opposition onside so that the government doesn’t just think it is one sided, get more players into the game,” he said. 

The Portland Business Association also discussed future banking options in the town and outside of it. 

“If the bank shuts it is not the end of Portland, we can get on without the bank, but we want you to be aware of your banking options.”  

According to Mr Neville, the association has approached community banks and credit unions to see what they could bring to the town. 

“The association has spoken to Family First and Bendigo Community Bank but they require the community to raise funds, around $900,000 and then $10 million in deposits to get started but we haven’t ruled them out.” 

Another big talking point for residents was the use of the ATM, which according to the Commonwealth Bank was staying in place. The only difference was that residents would not be able to deposit money anymore. 

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“The bank, in their advertisement of the bank shutting, is saying the ATM will remain but there is no timeline given. They could turn around in a week's time and say they are taking it,” Mr Neville said. 

“That becomes a security issue as a business, because if I have a good day, I like to go and bank it straight away so I know it’s not in the gym overnight, if I want to do that now I have to shoot down to Lithgow.”

Councillor Steve Ring’s suggestion to community members was to take their money elsewhere. 

“The best message the community can send for the people who bank with the Commonwealth is to take their money elsewhere, take your loans elsewhere and vote with your money because they are only concerned about profit and the best way to hurt them is to reduce their profit and if communities do that, that’s good,” Mr Ring said. 

Community members were not happy that the Commonwealth Bank CEO didn’t make an appearance or send a representative.  

“If they are going to slap me in the face they can come and do it face to face, they need to send someone up here and address our concerns,” Portland CBA bank user Ken Thomas said. 

“We’ve got less than a one per cent chance of saving the bank now but maybe we are standing up for another community somewhere else that will save their bank down the track,” Mr Neville said.  

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