There is an article in the newspaper quoting Peter Hanlon expressing the view that branch closures may have been a tactical error which reduced the quality of service and damaged the customer relationship.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/money/westpac-group-executive-peter-hanlon
I have mentioned the lost resource that the local branch represents, risk, knowledge and relationships.
With internet banking looking decidedly unsafe (if you are 'protected' by a 'smart' card) - branches may be required.
What other alternative is there? Mobile?
Also: Draft Laws introduced into Australia's Senate to prohibit the transfer by FI's of personal financial data offshore. Goodbye foreign processing and call centers. This one will catch on.