Westpac 'digital educator' to help branchless Ranfurly customers
Thursday, 3 November 2016
Ranfurly has lost its only bank but gained a 'digital educator'.
Westpac confirmed in September it was closing 19 branches across rural and metropolitan areas around New Zealand.
The Ranfurly community held a protest in August in opposition to the closure and voiced concern over how the isolated and ageing community would cope.
Westpac manager Scott Sinclair said digital educator Karyn Pettersen would be regularly based in the Central Otago District Council's Ranfurly Service Centre to help customers with digital banking services from November 7.
**READ MORE:
* As it happened: Westpac's bank closures
* ANZ closing seven bank branches
'Karyn will be available . . .to help any customers who would like some assistance to transition to digital banking and then once a week on Thursday from 17 November. Whether it's advice on using an ATM, deposit machine or online banking, Karyn is available to lend a hand,' Sinclair said.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said while the education service and an ATM might not equate to the full service of a branch, Westpac could have left without responding to the community's concerns.
'It needs to be remembered that Westpac remained in Ranfurly after other banks had left and that Westpac could have left without responding to the community concerns that were raised on the announcement that the branch was closing.
'It is great that the community, the bank and the council have been able to work together to come up with a solution.'
Pettersen would also be at the new Westpac ATM on 8 Charlemont St, next to the Ranfurly Hotel, for a couple of hours on Monday from midday.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was disappointed Westpac proceeded to close its Fairlie and Ranfurly branches, but she would be watching to ensure the community was not disadvantaged.
'I supported both of these communities as they fought against the closures, including a meeting in Wellington with ANZ bank officials, but at the end of the day Westpac made the decision to shut the doors. I know that these closures will hit the communities hard. I'm particularly concerned for the elderly, who will struggle to come to terms with new banking technology.
'Businesses in these towns will also be affected as people travel to other locations to do their banking and then conduct their business out of the area as well. Westpac has made a commitment to support these communities as they transition to the changes – and I will certainly be keeping an eye on the situation to ensure that their promises are delivered.'