BNZ plans to close city branches

Tuesday, 12 May 2020

BNZ says it is consulting on changes to its branch network in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

It is understood that the bank plans to close branches in Parnell, Penrose, Glen Eden, 262 Queen St in Auckland, Karori in Wellington, and Cashel and Fitzgerald and Russley in Christchurch.

A BNZ spokesperson said the changes planned were all in city areas and did not affect the bank's promise to keep its regional branch network open until at least 2022.

“We continually review the footprint of our branch network to best meet the needs of our customers.

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'We are currently consulting with our people on a plan to make some changes in several branches in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch metro areas, ' the spokesperson said.

“The branches that we’re considering making changes to have seen significant declining usage as digital or other nearby branches that are within a 10-minute drive, are utilised instead.

“It is our intention to offer other roles to any BNZers affected by proposed changes and we are currently in consultation with them.”

Announcing recent results, BNZ chief executive Angela Mentis said the Covid-19 disruption had accelerated already increasing use of digital technology and challenged perceptions that older customers would struggle to move away from in-branch banking.