ASB is opening a Northland regional centre in Whangarei.
ASB is opening a Northland regional centre in Whangarei.
ASB will open a new Northland regional centre in central Whangarei in late 2017.
The new, purpose-built 700 square metre facility will be built at 5 Rathbone St, the former site of Stirling Sports, almost directly across the road from the bank's existing branch.
ASB said "the same friendly, localbranch team" will be housed on the ground floor relocated from the existing branch across the street at 8 Rathbone St.
ASB executive general manager corporate, commercial and rural Steve Jurkovich said ASB's proud history in Northland's communities stretches back more than 50 years, and extends to its strong partnership with Sport Northland today.
"ASB has strong history in Northland and it's exciting to be able to build on our relationships within the community through a brand-new base in the heart of the Northland economy," he said.
The branch will support customers with the latest digital banking services including 24-hour automated "express banking" transactions, Smart ATMs and video access to banking experts.
Upstairs, the new regional centre will provide office space and meeting rooms for more than 35 people from the local ASB retail, commercial, wealth and insurance and rural banking teams.
The regional centre will also employ the latest in workplace design and technology and operate on the principles of activity-based working - similar to ASB's head office in Auckland.
When asked if the new building would replace the Walton St site (where rural, commercial and banking services are housed currently) ASB said it had made no firm decisions about what its branch footprint looks like beyond the opening of the new regional centre and branch.
The existing branch building at 8 Rathbone St and the Walton St site are both leased by ASB.
The new regional centre building will also be leased by ASB.
ASB said it was unable to provide exact figures on the cost of the new building but that it would be "a significant investment by ASB in our growing presence in Northland".
The existing structure, at 5 Rathbone St, will be demolished to make way for the new building.
Wallace Development Company has been part of an extensive planning process with ASB for the new regional centre and its general manager Paul Broederlow said it is an exciting project to be involved with.
