A local woman has expressed concerns over the safety and commitment of Howick and Highland Park’s ASB banks.
On June 17, 2020, the Times reported that the future of ASB Howick was in doubt post-Covid-19.
“Over the past three years, visits to our Howick branch declined by more than 20 percent,” ASB general manager for Banking Advice Centres Lex Thornton said.
After the closing of Howick ASB, there was an ATM left behind for self-service needs.
“ASB closed the interior building where we could make transactions safely without someone peering over our shoulder,” Iris Siddalls said.
Iris is concerned about the safety at the ATM. As it’s positioned outside, she notes that it’s easier for passing commuters or those waiting in line to see her pass code or the amount she’s withdrawing. People lining up can cause issues by blocking the pathway.
She mentions that everyone “can see you getting money out”.
“What if someone were to simply grab it as they’re going down the street?”
Iris says she’s disappointed with the ASB ATM in Howick. Additionally she has concerns with the Highland Park ASB. The drive is “quite far” for locals. When “people my age take the bus, we have to cross the six-way highway,” which she deems “not safe”.
She says both options – Highland Park and Howick – aren’t safe and that she’s “not the only one whom feels this way”.
“We understand customers may have concerns about withdrawing money in a public area,” Thornton said. “We certainly take the safety and security of our customers very seriously.”
Iris believes that ASB didn’t “fulfil their promise” of a safe and accessible local bank for the community.
Thornton said that the placements of ATMs are installed in well-lit areas and have security measures in place including pin guards and anti-card skimming devices.
“The Howick ATM and the immediate area around it are also covered by CCTV cameras to provide additional security,” Thornton said.
