Following ANZ’s announcement to close its Martinborough branch, community members will be linking arms around the branch to protest its proposed closure.

FIRST Union organiser Liz Sayers says workers from the bank and other members of the community will be demonstrating at the Martinborough branch from around 4pm today.

“We wholeheartedly support the community efforts here. Bank closures in New Zealand towns are hurting local economies and affecting the ability of regional communities to do their everyday banking, some of which have financial repercussions if it cannot be completed in a timely manner. It is also heart-breaking for our members to face the prospect of either losing their jobs altogether or else face a long commute to another regional branch. ANZ is on track to make almost $2 billion profits this year they can afford to maintain a regional presence but are choosing not to do so. Both bank workers and regional consumers suffer as a result.”

Kieran McAnulty, Labour List MP based in Wairarapa, will join the ‘hands around the bank’ demonstration.

“I have sought reassurance from ANZ that their decision is not only based on the drop in some transactions through the branch. I specifically asked them to reassure me and the community that the growing population and thriving local economic was considered in the process. ANZ has failed to provide that assurance. On that basis, and the fact that the Martinborough branch was the third best performing branch in most measures, it is not at all surprising that the community is so frustrated about this. I am still in active conversation with ANZ, and I will be joining the community this afternoon in linking hands around the bank to demonstrate that we believe they’ve made the wrong decision here” said Mr McAnulty.

ENDS

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