Ohakune closure a one off Westpac

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The decision by Westpac NZ to closes its branch in Ohakune does not signal a restructuring of the bank's organisation across the rest of the Wanganui region.

That assurance yesterday from Chris Mirams, the bank's external relations manager.

Westpac announced last month that a drop in business was the key reason behind the decision to close the branch in Goldfinch St. Its doors will close at the end of this month.

But Mr Mirams told the Chronicle yesterday there were "definitely" no plans to close any other branches in the Wanganui district.

He told the Ruapehu Bulletin last month that the branch had witnessed a steady decline in customers and transactions were down almost 25 per cent over the last three years.

"We have started the process of contacting customers who have used the branch regularly so they are aware of what is happening and what options are available," he said.

Westpac will retain an ATM in Ohakune in its current Goldfinch St location.

The bank operates branches in Wanganui (Victoria Ave), Taihape (Hautapu St), Marton (Broadway) and Bulls (Bridge St). It also has a number of ATMs around the city and in those three rural towns.

Westpac's Marton branch relocated to a new building in January, 2012, after it - along with the BNZ and ANZ branches - had issues with engineering reports on their premises.

Of the two other major banks the BNZ has a branch and ATMs in Ohakune and Taihape and a branch only in Marton, where the bank is still operating from temporary premises.

The ANZ has a branch and two ATMs in Taihape while a branch and one ATM carry that bank's flag in Marton.