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BNZ will close eight of its branches on Christmas Eve and 30 more before the middle of next year.
Staff are waiting in branches for customers who don’t show up, says a BNZ manager.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Chief Customer Service Officer Paul Carter said that roughly three-quarters of his customers bank online or by phone, and brick-and-mortar branches simply don’t attract more customers anymore.
“Most of our clients bank online and our talented bankers often wait in empty branches for clients who just don’t show up.”
He said the company would help affected staff find new jobs.
“We have great bankers in our branches and we will work with all of them to find new job opportunities at BNZ, regardless of where they are.”
Carter said that Covid-19 had accelerated the trend for customers to bank digitally.
“Branches will continue to play a role in how we serve our customers. We will continue to invest in modern customer centers to help customers take advantage of online banking and our digital tools, and where they can access specialized services.”
The bank would retain just over 100 branches, nearly 400 smart ATMs, three mobile BNZ branches, as well as its contact center and digital services.
“Our mobile branch performed well in the Manawatū-Whanganui and Northland regions providing banking services and financial support to remote communities, and we will add additional vehicles to our fleet to allow more communities to receive financial support.”
Branches to close on December 24, 2020 (8 offices):
- Courtenay place
- Greerton
- Manurewa
- Mosgiel
- Mount maunganui
- Pakuranga
- Papatoetoe
- Petone
Branch closings between February and March 2021 (14 branches)
- Cromwell
- Geraldine
- Huntly
- In the middle
- Ohakune
- Opotiki
- Orewa
- Otorohanga
- St Heliers
- Taihape
- Waiheke
- Waimate
- Wairoa
- Westport
Branch closings between April and June 2021 (16 branches)
- Akaroa
- Balclutha
- Coromandel
- Dannevirke
- Hanmer springs
- Kaikohe
- Methven
- Reefton
- Stratford
- Takaka
- Taumarunui
- Love
- Waihi
- Waipukurau
- Whangamata
- Winton
