ONE OF Tamworth's Commonwealth Bank branches has been temporarily closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The bank's West Tamworth branch is one of the locations the company has closed across the nation this week.
The announcement comes as the banking giant navigates the coronavirus crisis by shifting resources to meet increasing online and phone demand, according to a notice provided by Commonwealth Bank.
The bank said the Bridge Street location shut up shop on May 7 and will be closed for at least six months.
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The Leader understands the Commonwealth Bank centre on Peel Street in the Tamworth CBD will continue operating as normal.
It's also understood the ATM at the West Tamworth branch will not be affected and locals can still use it.
The bank has said the branch closures are necessary so staff can move within the business to provide support for an overwhelming number of people seeing financial help online amid the COVID-19 crisis.
"Since the pandemic was declared in early March, we have received more than one million calls and online requests for help," the notice read.
"Over the same period, visits by customers to bank branches have fallen more than 50 per cent in some branches as people follow social distancing and lockdown requirements."
It also said calls to the 'hardship line' had increased by 800 per cent since the pandemic struck.
The company is closing more than 100 branches in Australia, but mainly in places where there is another branch operating normally close by.
The bank has advised people to check the branch location tool on their website.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
