Media release: FIRST Union
Wednesday 26 September, 2012

National Bank: Kiwis need assurance no cuts to jobs or service

The bank workers’ union says that ANZ needs to reassure their staff and customers that any changes to the National Bank will be the changing of a brand, not the closure of a bank.

The union was responding to reports this morning that ANZ will later today announce moves to close the National Bank and fold all operations into ANZ.

Australian-owned ANZ makes billions out of New Zealand and any closure of the National Bank must not be used as an excuse to cut branch numbers, service to customers or staff numbers, FIRST Union Finance Secretary Andrew Casidy said.

“Bank staff and customers are justifiably very nervous about the implications of such a decision and will want assurances that their jobs are safe and that their communities will not suffer as a result of such a move, as others have in past bank mergers,” he said.

”We have been calling on ANZ National for well over a year now to consult widely with both staff and customers before any decisions are made.”

“It will be clear that ‘corporate social responsibility’ is nothing more than marketing spin to big banks, if the announcement later today is as reported.”

“You simply can’t claim to be a good corporate citizen and cut staff and customers out of a decision of this magnitude,” he said.

Ends.

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