Winton BNZ hours reducing

Friday, 26 May 2017

BNZ is reducing its opening hours at its Winton branch to afternoons only.

BNZ retail regional manager Robyn McKinnel said while the bank was committed to the Southland community, the reality of banking today was that 89 per cent of their transactions were made 'using digital channels'.

'Every day we are grappling with the fact that the banking world is changing rapidly.'

The hours will now be 1pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, from June 6.

'We are constantly reviewing the locations of our store network and their opening hours to make sure we are focusing investment in the areas we can best serve the changing needs of our customers,' McKinnel said.

'Our customers are increasingly choosing BNZ's digital banking channels to fulfil their everyday banking needs and a decline in demand for in-store banking services in Winton reflects this fact.'

Winton customers will still have access to the BNZ ATM in Winton, as well as internet, mobile, phone banking and support services through the bank's contact centre at all times.

The BNZ Winton team was considering the change in hours and their new roles, and BNZ continued to review all stores as part of 'business as usual', McKinnel said.

Two staff are affected by the change.

Winton Community Board chairman Brian Somerville said he viewed the bank's change as a 'positive' move because it meant the branch wasn't closing entirely.

'We don't want to lose it. People have to get used to change. I guess it's a matter of use it or lose it,' he said.

There is also a Westpac branch in Winton.