Westpac may close in Te Aroha

Five Waikato communities, including Te Aroha are reeling from news that Westpac proposes to close their bank branches.

Those regional branches facing closure in October are Te Aroha, Putaruru, Whangamata, Raglan and Otorohanga. They are among 19 around the country facing the chop, it was announced.

Matamata-Piako District Mayor Jan Barnes was horrified to hear the news.

‘‘I was gobsmacked when I first heard. I thought of the elderly in our district. It’s a decision that will be a challenge for them. I am concerned communities are losing a number of services,’’ Barnes said.

‘‘For the elderly, it’s maybe one or two of the people that they get to talk to during the day, it’s not just a business but also means we lose a part of our social aspect of our community. I think that we need a hub, even rent an area in which we help the elderly come and learn computer skills.’’

Westpac is expected to decide by the end of September, which branches will be closing.

A Westpac spokeswoman said customers are changing the way they bank and online transactions had increased.