The Commonwealth Bank has committed to stay in Summer Hill for at least another year following a concerted community campaign that saw hundreds of locals petition the bank to stay.

The closure of the branch had been foreshadowed when a development application for the premises was lodged with the former Ashfield Council.

The application subsequently did not proceed and the bank has signed a twelve month lease. 

The Bank today wrote to Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen, informing her of the decision.

Comments attributable to Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill:

“This is a big win for the local community and for local businesses in Summer Hill.

“Local suburbs need local bank branches to thrive and we’ve seen too many services disappear over the past few years.

“The local community values and relies on the face to face services a local branch provides and we must also remember how vitally important local branches are for seniors.

“Summer Hill is a vibrant, industrious suburb and is a good prospect for small businesses and bank branches alike.

Quotes attributable to TJ McCann, Save Our Bank Group

“It’s a great sign of confidence in Summer Hill that the branch has committed to staying for another twelve months.

“We received a huge response from the community when news broke that the branch was likely to go.

 “Thank you to the hundreds of residents who signed the petition and made sure their voice was heard. This is a huge win for you.”

Quotes attributable to Alex Lofts, former Deputy Mayor of Ashfield

“It’s a great sign of confidence in Summer Hill that the branch has committed to staying for another twelve months.

“The community will take heart from this reprieve, but will keep up the fight to convince the bank to stay longer term and to invest in the branch.

“The message from the community has been loud and clear – Summer Hill residents want the branch to stay."