First of big four banks leaves the Peninsula

The ANZ will be the first of the big four banks to abandon the Peninsula when it closes its Woy Woy branch on Wednesday, November 11.

After that, its customers will have to travel to Gosford, Erina or Tuggerah if they wish to visit a branch.

ANZ’s NSW general manager Mr Steven Straub said the closure was due to an increasing number of customers preferring online banking.

“As our customers have changed the way they do their banking in recent years, they no longer use branches as much, while demand for our contact centres and hardship teams has grown significantly,” Mr Straub said.

“We are writing to customers personally to let them know about the closure and the alternative banking methods available, including online, telephone and mobile banking.”

He said the bank would work with vulnerable customers to support them through this change, identifying alternative branches and providing more digital options.

Mr Straub also said the branch had recently announced the closure to staff and were trying to find redeployment opportunities within the bank.

“We will seek to retain as many staff members as possible through helping them move into a range of new roles, such as our call centre, customer resolution and hardship teams.”

SOURCE
Letter, 17 Sep 2020
Matthew Hamshari, ANZ Bank
Media statement, 22 Sept 2020
Steven Straub, ANZ Bank