Martyn and Adrienne Preece are shocked at the closure.
Southern Tararua residents are stunned by the closure of Pahiatua's ANZ bank on December 8.
A First Union spokesperson said the bank is stonewalling.
Pahiatua residents Martyn and Adrienne Preece were scathing about the effect the closure will have on the district.
"I am disappointed and shocked. It has not only affected me, but also the staff, Woodville and Eketahuna customers. A lot of people come here to do their shopping.
It's going to affect business — it's bad enough we've just lost the Gorge. Public transport is not good here. How can people get to Palmerston North where we get charged for parking, or Dannevirke to go to the bank? Head office has no idea where Pahiatua is," said Adrienne.
"The bank suggested we do internet banking — but in a rural area this doesn't always work and you may have to go into the bank. If we go to other banks we get charged. We went to the Smart ATM to make a deposit but the machine rejected it and we had to go into the bank. What are we supposed to do when the bank is closed?
"WINZ is disastrous when it comes to changing bank accounts. The elderly are going to be affected in particular. It's a case of the bank making more money and an Aussie bank Kiwi bashing." Martyn said: "It's better to close a town branch than a rural branch.
The rural people get enough hassle at the moment. It's another pressure we don't need. Farmers haven't got the extra time required to drive to Palmerston North or Dannevirke." The bank said the ANZ Pahiatua branch isn't viable any longer and would close on Friday, 8 December.
"We have worked hard to maintain a branch presence, however the average ANZ customer uses mobile banking one to two times a day, and visits a branch only two times a year.
"The number of customers visiting the Pahiatua branch has been declining and will continue to do so. Monthly transaction volumes at Pahiatua have decreased 16 per cent from 2016 to 2017. It's not viable to keep the branch open as it is no longer generating enough retail business to offset costs."
ANZ BANK CLOSURE
Comment from Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis:
"This is devastating news for the community of Pahiatua and for the stress it causes to staff members involved, especially this close to Christmas.
"Losing any service or Business has a wide impact. Measuring a service by the communities' transactions is going to be extremely challenging in small towns, as we all head to online services, we will continue to face these challenges. If Government is committed to regions, this is something they need to consider for our communities well-being.
"We should all be reminding large companies to consider their social responsibilities, and not just their bottom line."
Facebook comments:
Donna Smith: "That will be a big loss for Pahiatua.A lot of older people don't use ATMs or have eftpos cards.They prefer the personal service over the counter."
Glenda Young: "Shocking news. Could they not consider reduced hours to accommodate the elderly. Very quick and no public consultation. Grrrrr."
Ray Gaskin: "Sad for staff losing there jobs — and the town's elderly who can't or don't trust computers for the banking needs. Also to see a nice looking building empty. But these days, people don't matter, it's a money issue. A sign of the times.
Jan Turner: "So sad for the town's elderly folk or those who do not use ATMs or Internet banking (and there is a lot). The poor little towns are being robbed of their very important services for their residents, forcing them to go into the city."
Louise Broad: "Sad to see this — not a good sign for Pahiatua. Hope staff can get jobs without having to travel too far."
Jan Milner: "The "big wigs" at the top don't even stop to think what this will mean to a lot of people!"
Leigh-Anne Gear: "Bloody awful. Poor older people who don't have family around to help them."
Yvonne Rigby: "I feel so sorry for the elderly who want a person to serve them with their dollars.They can't remember their PIN and don't have computer skills either. They did that with the BNZ here in Picton. "
Bronwyn Smith: "This is sooo disappointing! Just confirmed refinancing with another bank tonight, see ya later ANZ."