THE ANZ Bank announced this week that it is closing its Portland branch permanently.

The branch at 50 Percy Street will shut its door forever at 4pm on Wednesday, October 9.

All customers have been notified and assured that their account and BSB numbers will remain the same.

Customers can still use other ANZ branches, including the Hamilton branch at 76 Gray Street, which is the closest to Portland.

Renee Stewart, ANZ district manager, said staff at the Portland branch have access to tools and training as well as other opportunities within ANZ.

    She said around 99 per cent of ANZ customer transactions nationally were conducted digitally or via an ATM.

“We are working closely with our customers to ensure they are well supported and aware of all the ways they can complete their banking.

“Customers can continue to bank via the ANZ app, internet banking and phone banking.

“We also have a team of community-based bankers, such as mobile lenders, who meet with our customers to discuss their banking needs at a location that best suits them,” Ms Stewart said.

“ANZ customers also have fee-free access to 2600 ATMs operated by ANZ and atmx across Australia, as well as fee-free access to thousands of additional ATMs operated by other major banks.

“Customers can also withdraw money using EFTPOS facilities at the Woolworths supermarket in Portland.”

Transactions in ANZ branches nationally have halved over the past five years. Today just 1% of all transactions are done over the counter and almost four million customers use the ANZ mobile banking app.

ANZ is offering full support to customers not familiar with online banking or do not have internet access.

Those customers can contact the ANZ on 13 13 14 to set up phone banking.

“With ANZ phone banking you can transfer funds between your linked accounts, pay bills via BPAY, check your balance and recent transactions, order statements and more,” ANZ told customers via email or post.

“Alternatively, if you call between 7am and 10pm, any day of the week, you can choose to speak to a customer service consultant.

“We also have banking specialists who can support you with inquiries and more complex discussions around your everyday banking, home loan, personal loan and insurance needs over the phone.”

 ANZ has more than four million customers registered with the ANZ app or internet banking.

With the ANZ app, customers can check their account balance, pay bills, transfer money, activate an eligible card, change their PIN, view account statements and more.

With ANZ internet banking, customers can order a replacement card, transfer money overseas and pay anyone.

ANZ says customers who use the app or internet banking are covered by the ANZ Internet Banking Guarantee.

“We’ll reimburse any unauthorised transactions on your account, provided you didn’t contribute to the loss. You let us know as soon as you found out about the loss and you have complied with the electronic banking conditions of use contained in your product terms and conditions.”

For now, locals can ask local branch staff for assistance in setting up internet or phone banking, or phone the dedicated customer care team on 1800 841 549, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.