BNZ's future still uncertain

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 243, 24 May 1988, Page 1

BNZ's future still uncertain

The Bank of New Zealand is still not definite about the future of its Ohakune and Raetihi branches.

Although "restructuring" is in the wind, the bank has confirmed that it will continue to provide a banking service in both towns. BNZ district manager Mr Neville Butler told the Bulletin yesterday he was still awaiting a

report on premises for the Raetihi branch. He said the current premises in Seddon Street were old and inadequate. This was the main reason for restructuring. The bank's property officer had been in Raetihi re-

cently looking for alternative accommodation. "Where we can go will determine whether the branch is retained as a full branch with its own manager or as a service centre for a larger branch based in Ohakune," he said. Mr Butler said there would be no staff

reductions regardless of the final decision. He said the Ohakune manager, Mr Basil Clement, had been posted to Waipukurau in Hawke's Bay but this had nothing to do with restructuring. He is to be replaced. The Ohakune branch has nine staff and Raetihi has eight. The

number at Ohakune may increase and the number at Raetihi may drop in the reshuffle. However, Mr Butler insisted that nothing was final and no decision had been made yet. "We want to do nothing that will disadvantage our custofijers or Turn page 2

BNZ's future still uncertain

From page 1 reduce the service we are offering in the two towns," he said. "It may simply mean that Raetihi customers cannot just drop in on a Tuesday or any other particular day to see the manager."