Collaborative Effort to Open Regional Banking Hub in Ōpunakē
Dr Deborah Russell, parliamentary undersecretary for revenue, South Taranaki Mayor, Phil Nixon and banking concierge Quisandra Webby try out the new Smart ATM at the opening of the Ōpunakē Banking Hub
A unique collaborative initiative between central government, the South Taranaki District Council (STDC) and the NZ Bankers Association saw the opening of a new Regional Banking Hub at Ōpunakē LibraryPlus yesterday (Monday 7 Dec).
The Ōpunakē Hub is part of a wider trial of four Regional Banking Hubs to test the demand for basic banking services in regional communities.
The Ōpunakē Hub, which includes ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB and Westpac is hosted in the local LibraryPlus centre and is based around a Smart ATM that provides for deposits and withdrawals. Other basic transactions are available on tablets and phones with a staff member available to assist.
South Taranaki Mayor, Phil Nixon says he is excited about the trial banking hub being brought to Ōpunakē and encourages the locals to make the most of it.
“I am delighted to see this unique partnership of six banks looking at innovative ways to support smaller communities,” says Mr Nixon. “Despite the fact that many of our residents use online and mobile banking, we know that many customers still prefer face-to-face banking and that’s what this Banking Hub trial is designed to test.”
“It’s also another plus to our LibraryPlus and now we need to see the community make the most of it and use the service which is set up on a year’s trial.”
