Newcastle Permanent branch closures: Sonia Hornery, Terry Millet to meet

Ms Hornery said she was interested to hear what the financial institution had planned for her electorate. 

“Elder Street is one of the busiest local shopping strips around Newcastle and it’s a real shame to think our locally grown Building Society has just walked away,” she said. 

“The chief executive officer said in a recent interview that he didn’t believe that this would be the last branch closure and I am concerned about residents being ignored by financial institutions.”

“I look forward to meeting with the Newcastle Permanent and hearing about the reasons behind the decision to close branches in the western suburbs.”

Ms Hornery has previously criticised the financial institution after it shut its Lambton branch, the third after the John Hunter Hospital and University of Newcastle outlets closed. 

Chief executive Terry Millet said there were seven branches within five kilometres of the former Lambton site, citing a “significant decline” in trade at the defunct shopfronts. 

“While we value our loyal customers at these branches, many of our customers preferred the convenience of being able to manage their everyday banking online and be supported by our local customer contact centre,” Mr Millett told the Herald earlier this month.