Coalition spokesman John Mikelsons said the priority was now to ensure that Westpac ticks to the conditions set by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan in approving the merger.

``The workers at the bank and the local businesses depend on it,'' Mr Mikelsons said.

``The decision of the big institutional investors to support the merger is at odds with the vast majority of StGeorge staff and customers who opposed the takeover.

``It is sad, when the world is on the brink of global recession, to see a merger that will shed thousands of jobs.

``It is also an end of an era in terms of what St George meant for customers, particularly in the St George and Sutherland regions.

``Through the efforts of the Save the Dragon Coalition, including the Kogarah community, St George employees and customers, we have been successful in gaining assurances and indeed a condition imposed by the Federal Treasurer that the merged bank maintain a corporate presence in Kogarah.''