ANZ DOUBLE STANDARDS This update is to highlight a number of inconsistencies between what the ANZ presented to community and business leaders at our meeting and the facts. Bank representative Amanda Heath-Ogden stated: * The branch was in the bottom 2% of the state and had been for the past 3 years. * Only 23% of customers utilise the branch. * There is an ATM for everyone to get cash and * Larger organisations can use Australia Post to complete their banking. The local stake holders asked numerous questions concerning the performance of the branch which were not answered. What the bank neglected to explain was: * Yes the branch was in a 2% range however this relates to the branch size and in no way relates to performance. Ms Heath-Ogden also neglected to inform the meeting she had previously (in 2015) presented the Junee branch with a card and chocolates for being the: #5 Branch within the Australian branch network! Also in the past 12 months this branch has gained several large clients due to the closure of Westpac in the town. * 23% utilisation of the branch is not correct as some time ago the Agri business held by this branch was transferred to the ANZ’s Wagga branch. Might not sound much however this is a rural community with one local accounting firm demonstrating that there is $7.5m in loans transferred from Junee to Wagga however the customers still use Junee to do their banking which is not included in this figure. Furthermore if the Wagga branch’s manager lives in Goulburn and the area manager lives in the Blue Mountains why were these accounts transferred in the first place, as the Agri manager in Wagga visits clients at their farms anyway. Also Michael Flagg, the regional small business area manager resides in Melbourne. All this to make the Wagga branch bigger and make up for it’s shortfalls. * Yes there is an ATM. Not very reliable and unworkable for the elderly. * Australia Post are unable to handle large volumes of cash and change needed by several large businesses therefore they need to drive to a branch to do their banking meaning lost work time and the possibility of being robbed hence increased insurance costs needed. The bank needs to readdress their overall outlook and the consequences on small communities when closing branches with proper consultation prior to any suggested closing. This is a case of a large corporate structure not caring at all in relation to small community needs and will do whatever they want to prop up a branch without any consideration what so ever. How much profit is enough The ANZ claims to pride it’s self on customer face to face service. The ANZ needs to reconsider their decision immediately. Attached photo of card and chocolates presented to ANZ Junee in 2015 for being the #5 performing branch in the Australian network.