When the Ensign first posted to social media that the Benalla Branch of ANZ was set to close the comment sections blew up.
This is what the community had to say:
Leanne — What a shame for Benalla, we will be a town of empty buildings.
Tracey — There will be nothing left in Benalla soon.
Alan — When they cut hours some six months back I asked them when they were closing and they said “no we're not closing”. Do they think people are stupid or what? As for contacting customers about the closure ... we've got to read about it in the newspaper first.
Jane — Whatever happened to service for customers?
Kylie — Really sad for the town and staff.
Stacey — My first job when I moved to Benalla. (The manager) was the best boss I could have asked for and the team was great. To the current staff best of wishes.
Jennifer — Lots of good memories from working there on and off from the first day it opened. Very sad for the staff, who will all need to find another job. Good luck to you girls.
Kathy — Smacks of profit over people. Have never regretted changing to the Credit Union over 20 years ago
Neil — My parents were called on Thursday from a person from Melbourne to tell them to make alternative arrangements for the accounts.
Lynda — What's the go with ANZ? Their branch in Wauchope, NSW closed a couple of years ago and recently Kempsey, NSW closed. These towns are growing fast, so WHY?
Marg — This is terrible news, we will be a ghost town ... lucky l go to Bendigo Bank. As for lots of other things I have to go out of town, but not everyone can do that.
Stephen — ANZ branches and ATMs have been disappearing rapidly for the past two years — three branches in my area, including the one where I first opened my account. They are moving away from cash.
Wendy — How sad. My first job as a 17-year-old was at the ANZ bank in Benalla 45 years ago. Good memories, great people. Such a shame for the town to lose a major bank.
Sheryl — We won’t have anything here soon.
Glenice — Banks are closing everywhere, they want people to shop online. Makes you mad, as not everyone does it that way.