Bank services coming under close scrutiny

WE all know Mosgiel is a fastgrowing suburb of Dunedin, more and more people moving into the area, more and more money, more business, that has to be good news.

Not so for the Bank of New Zealand — it has cut its counter service from three to two tellers, and cut its hours of trading from 9am4pm to 10am3pm, all the while making large profits.

I have taken this as a sign it does not want the hardworking people of Mosgiel as customers, so I am looking to bank elsewhere.

Perhaps the bank would like to tell us why they have taken such action? Paul Brooks

Outram [BNZ Retail Regional Manager Robyn McKinnel replies:

‘‘BNZ constantly reviews the locations of our store network and our opening hours to make sure we are focusing investment in the areas we can best serve the changing needs of our customers.

‘‘The banking world is changing rapidly. Our customers are increasingly choosing BNZ’s digital banking channels to fulfil their everyday banking needs. In fact, 89% of our transactions are made using our digital channels.

‘‘The Mosgiel BNZ team continues to offer full banking services within the reduced hours.’’]

WHAT does one do to get service?

I live in Dunedin and got a call from a branch of a bank in Dargaville, Northland, asking me if I was happy with the service they gave. Very chatty.

This morning the brain clicked in, and I thought strange. So rang the 0800 number of the bank and tried to leave my cell phone number — it wouldn’t recognise it.

Rang two of the local branches requesting them to ring, to make sure my accounts were secure. The voicemail told me the phones went unmanned, and to leave a message, but also to visit my local branch.

They want your money. But service? Perhaps I’d better ring the Dargaville branch L. M. Angell

St Kilda