Banking unions yesterday expressed dismay at the moves, which would see an uncertain number of jobs absorbed and more transferred from the home town of the bank, which has established a reputation on community-building.

Finance Sector Union communications manager Leanne Shingles said staff were informed on Wednesday that the bank would retain a small number of people for quality assurance and training purposes, but other roles would be relocated at Adelaide and Ipswich during the next six to 12 months.

“Until they can provide full details, if you are one of those 40 people you are going to be worried,’’ Ms Shingles said.

“And while we approve of some of the plans they are putting into place to deal with the transition, the end result is not going to be good for the city of Bendigo.’’

Ms Shingles said the entire staff at the call centre, located in part of the old Beehive building, could number as high as 50, including casuals, and they had no exact figure on the jobs to be retained. “The bank has told us none of the jobs would be made redundant - and they would,’’ she said.

“They also said there are incentive payments to stay on for six more months.’’

Ms Shingles said the union understood viability for a bank was important in the current economic climate, but it was concerned about the impact on workers who were uncertain about their futures.

Former employees who contacted The Advertiser said the whole shutdown process had been handled badly. One employee, who did not wish to be named, said the writing had been on the wall since Bendigo Bank moved the management of the call centre to Ipswich several years ago, and were frequently flying them back to Bendigo.

She said many workers had gone through the torment of uncertainty about their future since the merger with the Bank of Adelaide.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank did not return The Advertiser’s calls.