Elderly stranded as banks pull out

Concerns are growing that elderly people may be left without access to a bank as branches are shuttered around the country.

It was confirmed this week that Westpac is to close 19 of its branches, leaving services such as smart ATMs, deposit units and iPads for community use.

Kamo, near Whangarei, is losing both ASB and Westpac branches. That will leave Kiwibank as the only bank in the town.

An analysis of other bank locations shows they are heavily weighted towards the bigger centres.

BNZ has just under 50 branches in Auckland, 19 in Wellington, 19 in Waikato, 27 in Canterbury and about 55 through provincial New Zealand.

Westpac has about 200 branches throughout the country, of which about 100 are in Auckland and Wellington.

ASB has 130 branches nationwide, of which 78 are in Auckland. ANZ has about 65 of its roughly 200 branches in Auckland.

Rural Women national president Wendy McGowan said it was harder for older people to travel to other centres for banking.

‘‘When it comes to paying your accounts, if you haven’t got good connectivity, you’re in trouble.’’

McGowan said the offer of an iPad at a centre such as a library was a good idea in theory, but in some centres the libraries had closed, too.

But banking expert Claire Matthews questioned whether it was the role of banks to provide a social service.

‘‘I agree banks do have a social responsibility to ensure people can access bank services, but I don’t think that extends to being a social focal point.’’