Bad banking news for rural communities

Rural Women New Zealand is “disappointed” at news that Kiwibank is closing seven branches, five with direct impact on rural communities. (The BNZ is reportedly planning to close 58 branches).

“Reductions in services in rural communities is causing a deeper inequity of the provision of those services, compared with urban communities, adding pressures that are just not needed in this current social and economic climate,” RWNZ national president Gill Naylor said.

“RWNZ hopes that Kiwibank might use the agency model with other businesses to ensure that banking services continue to be offered in rural centres.

“While we appreciate the need to streamline businesses, and one solution is the agency model, there needs to be continued support for people to transact their daily lives in dignity.

“An agency model needs to provide spaces for private, complex discussions. It is not acceptable for people to be discussing their personal banking requirements with staff while standing in a line of others who just want to pay a bill.

“RWNZ believes that rural communities need services close to where they live. This is particularly important for those where distance and lack of internet connectivity are more sharply felt.

“We would like to see ruralproofing carried out before decisions are made to remove or reduce services.”