Bank told money’s not everything
For Kapiti Coast’s Judy Pitman, a trip to the bank is as much about money as it is about bank teller Glen.
Her own, called Glen.
Around small-town New Zealand yesterday afternoon, people gathered to oppose Westpac Bank’s proposal to shut down 19 branches because of a drastic drop in overthe-counter transactions.
Joining Pitman outside the Waikanae branch on Kapiti Coast, Russell Swan, 83, said he didn’t know the tellers by name but enjoyed the contact.
‘‘I have noticed in line, the lady in front of me chatting about how many lemons are on her tree. The lady behind the counter knew what she was talking about.’’ now-dead son was
Pitman, 82, is in the branch every week and waits till she can see bank teller Glen.
‘‘He is so kind, he is just very caring. One thing is my late son’s name was Glen. That is why it means so much to me.’’
For them, and 50 or so more Waikanae residents - some of whom who came on mobility scooters, others with walkers, but many under their own steam banking is still about the personal touch.
Some held ‘‘shame Westpac’’ placards, others chatted.
As far as protests go, it was a sedate affair. No police presence was required.
To Waikanae’s elderly, the bank’s proposal to close the town’s Westpac branch is missing points that don’t show on a balance sheet. Many of them cannot drive to the closest Westpac branch, in Paraparaumu, and they cannot use internet banking - nor do they have a desire to learn.
For its part, Westpac, which has proposed shutting 19 branches across New Zealand, says there had been a drop in over-thecounter transactions as its customers embraced mobile and digital technology.
‘‘Currently, more than 85 per cent of service transactions take place outside of a branch,’’ a spokesman said.
To Swan, who has banked with Westpac for 35 years and has paid off mortgages through it, the response, if Westpac leaves town, is simple.
‘‘I personally will vote with my feet. My question to them is, will they care?’’
He won’t have to go far. The town’s Kiwibank is two doors away, while ANZ and BNZ would be no more than a minute’s walk away.
News of the closures has caused concern in other centres, where action is being considered to convince Westpac to stay.
According to Westpac, the past five years had brought a 61 per cent increase in online transactions and, in the past year alone, there had been a 33 per cent increase in mobile phone banking
‘‘A proposal regarding the branches is currently with staff for their consideration and feedback. Once that feedback has been received and evaluated a decision will be made.
‘‘Staff and customers will be the first to know that decision and there will be no further public comment until then,’’ the bank said.
In the Nelson region, the Stoke and Takaka branches are among those earmarked for closure.
Other branches around the country proposed to close are: Kamo, Cherrywood, in Tauranga, Broadway Ave, in Palmerston North, Bishopdale, in Christchurch, Gardens, in Dunedin, Carterton, Raglan, Ranfurly, Te Aroha, Fendalton Mall, in Christchurch, Putaruru, Whangamata, Wainuiomata, Te Anau and Otorohanga.
Decisions on the closures were expected by the end of next month.