ANZ opens branch in first of 15 new communities

ANZ today opened a new branch at Silverdale, the first of 15 new communities the bank will extend its network into over the next two years.

The opening was attended by MP for Rodney, Mark Mitchell, ANZ staff and members of the Silverdale community.

The new $1.2 million branch will be the first ANZ branch in Silverdale. It will have a staff of 12, many of who have come from other ANZ and National Bank branches. Staff include four Business Banking Managers, two Banking Consultants and four Customer Service Officers.

Kerri Thompson, ANZ Managing Director Retail Banking, said the new branch, at Silverdale Centre, was a strong vote of confidence in the future of Silverdale.

“There is a real excitement about what is happening in this community. Silverdale is one of the fastest-growing regions in New Zealand and is on track to becoming the commercial heart of the Hibiscus Coast.

“Over the next decade, Silverdale will be an important growth corridor for the Auckland region, with new retail, commercial and residential developments either on the drawing board or under construction.

“With this new branch, ANZ will proudly serve the people of Silverdale and help them realise their vision of a community that is not only one of New Zealand’s newest and most vibrant business hubs, but a great place to live.”

ANZ Silverdale is the first new branch to be opened since ANZ announced on 26 September it would bring together the ANZ and National Bank brands.

“Today’s opening is a very special occasion for us - the first new branch of the new ANZ,”Mrs Thompson said.

“The new ANZ will combine the best of both banks. ANZ’s strength and presence across Asia Pacific and The National Bank’s reputation for great customer service and internetbanking will be the cornerstones of the new ANZ.

“We will invest $100 million in the next two years to ensure we have a well positioned and attractive branch network for customers. This will see us increase our branchpresence from 75% of where New Zealanders live to almost 90% - so 15 new communities will get branches.

”The new Silverdale branch will feature a new design that represents the best of both the ANZ and National Bank brands. Current National Bank customers will be able to use the branch from the end of October.

The Branch Manager will be Graham Schmidt, who has managed other ANZ branches onAuckland’s North Shore