Skip to main content

Rural Bank Victorian branches update

4 August 2020 |Media release

Rural Bank welcomes the Victorian Government’s confirmation that banking and banking related services will remain open and classed as an essential service while stage three and four restrictions are in place across the state.

As part of its commitment to provide a COVID-safe essential service to the community and to coincide with the introduction of stage three restrictions across regional Victoria, all Rural Bank staff will operate remotely from Thursday 6 August.

While this will result in the closure of Rural Bank’s five regional Victorian offices in Shepparton, Swan Hill, Horsham, Warrnambool and Sale, all transactional services will continue to be facilitated at Bendigo Bank branches across the state.

Bendigo Bank has stringent controls in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its staff and customers in branches. In line with Victorian Government requirements, face coverings must be worn by all staff and customers attending a bank branch, unless they fall within one of the published exemptions. Branch staff will also continue to observe all other safety protocols including the use of safety screens, physical distancing and hygiene measures. Customers are required to comply with the appropriate safety guidelines.

Rural Bank staff will remain accessible to customers via phone, video phone applications - such as Facetime - Bendigo Bank branch appointments or outdoors, on farm.

“Since the onset of COVID-19, our branches have, wherever possible, remained open to support our customers and their communities. We have clear safety measures in place and will continue to assess the level of risk and take reasonable and appropriate actions to protect our staff and customers, based on the latest expert advice. The safety and wellbeing of our customers, employees and their communities is our priority and we’re here to continue supporting our customers as we have done throughout the pandemic,” said Alexandra Gartmann, CEO, Rural Bank.

Rural Bank’s products and services are accessible at more than 400 locations nationally, through a network of banking partners including Bendigo Bank, Community Bank and Elders branches, along with more than 200 lending specialists based in rural and regional centres across the country.

The Bank advises customers to only visit a Bendigo Bank branch or seek an appointment at a Rural Bank office if they are feeling well and encourages them to observe the required social distancing and face covering guidelines. Customers may be asked to temporarily remove face coverings for identification purposes. These guidelines will be visible as customers enter the branch. Bendigo Bank branch locations are available here.

Customers can speak directly to their Rural Bank relationship manager via phone, arrange a farm visit, arrange an in-branch meeting, use Bendigo Bank ATMse-banking or the Rural Bank app to conduct their banking. 

Customers are requested not to visit a branch if they:

  • Have returned from overseas within the last 14 days;
  • Have knowingly been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or has returned from overseas within the last 14 days; or
  • Are displaying flu-like symptoms.

If customers have any health concerns or think they may have been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19), Rural Bank urges them to contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).

Related Topics

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of this nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present as it is their knowledge and experience that holds the key to the success of future generations.

Rural Bank - A Division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited
© Copyright 2024 Rural Bank | ABN 11 068 049 178 | AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879