Westpac to close Kaiapoi branch despite concerns about affect on older residents
The closure of the only Westpac branch in a small North Canterbury town is a “disappointing” outcome for residents, particularly the older community, Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon says.
In a letter to Gordon, Westpac chief executive David McLean confirmed the Kaiapoi branch would close on June 23.
McLean cited a 45 per cent decline in counter transactions at the branch since national Covid-19 lockdown and a 65 per cent fall in such transactions nationwide in the last four years.
The Kaiapoi branch is the only outlet for the bank in the small township, and its closure and will mean residents wanting to visit a Westpac will need to travel 11 kilometres north to Rangiora to reach their nearest branch.
Gordon said he was grateful that the bank’s board of executives had met with him to discuss the issue, but the decision to close the bank was “disappointing” and went against the progress being made in North Canterbury.
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19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.6% Nah - not for me
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Poll: Are you starting to feel a lift in business confidence across the Canterbury region?
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43.1% Yes
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56.9% No
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