Losing hours at ANZ Waikerie branch

I THINK the ANZ’s reason for cutting back banking hours sounds like a poor excuse (‘ANZ reduces operating hours at Waikerie branch’, pg 12, 22/10/25).

Lack of Staff? For some time now when you go to do your banking when they are open – now to be Monday and Thursday, from 9.30am to 1.30pm – the tellers suggest that you could do the same transaction on the ATM outside.

While lining up waiting to be served a manager approaches you and asks if they can help with the transaction, because you can do it on the ATM, won’t need to line up, and it will be quicker.

Here in lies the excuse they are giving everyone. It appears as though people are not going inside to do their banking and are preferring to use the ATM, when in actual fact the staff are being told to encourage this. That way at the end of the day they can close this branch.

In terms of finding new staff, why doesn’t the bank approach the high school to see if there are any students that would be interested in applying for employment in the banking industry.

I say come on ANZ, and all banks, lift your game for all the years the regional areas have supported these branches. Now they are preparing to turn their backs on these communities.

What a way to be treated. Shame on you.
K. DATSON
Waikerie