Residents of Ruatoria are making another push to keep a Westpac branch from shutting up shop, and say losing the East Coast town's only bank will be devastating.
Last night, a public meeting was held hoping to persuade Westpac not to close the branch, which it said was being used by fewer and fewer people.
Residents with a petition signed by hundreds of people demanding the only bank in town stays open. Their campaign has the support of Gisborne District Councillor Bill Burdett (far right). Photo: Supplied
The meeting was attended by 140 residents and the mayor of the Gisbourne Disrict Council, but not by Westpac.
Residents said the closure of the Ruatoria branch would mean residents would have to travel to Gisbourne to do their banking.
Gisbourne councillor and Ruatoria resident Bill Burdett said less than thirty percent of residents had access to the internet, and online banking was not an option.
In a statement, Westpac said it was still consulting with its employees, but if it closes the branch, it will leave an ATM and deposit facilities in the area.