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AAP
AAP
Business
Stephanie Gardiner

'No care factor' as banks abandon remote communities

Robberies of cash and long trips for banking are among the impacts of rural branch closures. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Remote Australians are flying to the city with suitcases full of cash to make deposits after a local bank closed, while reports of robberies, scams and elder abuse are rife, an inquiry has been told. 

Westpac closed its branch at Tom Price in Western Australia's Pilbara region in late 2022, leaving residents with a 700km round trip to the nearest bank in Karratha.

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