Kiwibank closes Gisborne business banking

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

CLOSURE of the business banking section at Kiwibank in Gisborne will have minimal impact on its business customers, says Kiwibank communications manager Bruce Thompson.

From the end of January, Kiwibank staff will now travel from Tauranga, Rotorua and Hastings for appointments with Gisborne business customers who want to discuss mortgages, credit facilities or lending requirements in a face-to-face meeting.

Mr Thompson said day-to-day banking would not be affected, as business customers could make deposits and withdrawals as usual at the Gladstone Road branch.

The change came after the staff member who looked after business customers left the bank. Mr Thompson said Kiwibank would service customers from nearby branches.

“Because of the type of bank we are, we can’t have all areas covered with people on site but we can make sure someone is there when you need them.”

Mr Thompson said there were similar set-ups in the South Island, such as at Invercargill, where staff from Dunedin serviced business customers.

A Gisborne business owner who banks with Kiwibank agreed it would have minimal impact, as long as they could still deposit their daily takings in person.