TSB in banks promise

The number of TSB bank branches open in Taranaki during lockdown will double to four following long queues outside the two that did open on Monday.

The move came after long lines of customers waited for hours to access essential banking services at the New Plymouth central and Ha¯ wera branches this week.

For the rest of lockdown the branches in Stratford and Westown will also open from 9am to 12 noon on Mondays, except for Easter Monday and Anzac Monday, when the branches will instead open on the following Tuesday.

Chief executive Donna Cooper said while the additional branches would be available she encouraged customers to only visit them if absolutely necessary.

‘‘Government advice is that the safest place for New Zealanders to be right now is at home, particularly if you’re over 70 or have compromised immunity,’’ Cooper said.

‘‘So we ask that customers please stay home and use our remote banking options wherever possible so we can provide a better and safer level of service to customers who have to visit our branches.’’

Cooper said that almost all banking could be done remotely using TSB’s online, mobile and phone services and people could apply for Covid-19 support and find answers to questions on its website.

She asked customers aged over 70 or compromised in any way to call the bank before visiting because it was likely staff could assist them in other ways.

‘‘If you don’t know how to use online or phone banking for example, our contact centre team are great teachers and would love to take the time to help.

Eltham community board member Lindsay Maindonald described it as a great move and was pleased the bank had listened to public demand.

‘‘I think it’s really good that they’ve taken it onboard,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s Taranaki’s bank and we are very parochial and that’s why they had such a demand because it our bank.’’ many of their