Bank moratorium 'too late' for rural towns left behind

The big banks have agreed to a two-and-a-half-year moratorium on regional branch closures. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

The last bank in Mannum closed at the worst possible time - just as flood waters were engulfing the South Australian town on the Murray River.

For the historic town that relies on tourism, hospitality and farming, the federal government's moratorium on regional bank closures is cold comfort.