Customer faces unexpected cash deposit issue: 'I won't be dealing with them after this'

In an age where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's easy to forget the value of good old-fashioned cash.

However, for one ANZ customer, a recent attempt to deposit a substantial amount of cash turned into a bewildering banking puzzle that left him questioning his loyalty to the major bank.


The incident unfolded at an ANZ branch in Hervey Bay, where the customer, preferring to stay anonymous, sought to deposit $2,400 in cash.

To his astonishment, the teller informed him that there was a $2,500 minimum for over-the-counter cash deposits and that he should have given notice before coming in.


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An ANZ customer was allegedly denied a $2,400 cash deposit due to a claimed minimum limit, which ANZ later refuted. Credit: Facebook


This unexpected hurdle was not just inconvenient; it was downright perplexing.

The customer's frustration only grew when he was directed to use an ANZ ATM, which, as luck would have it, was out of order.

Returning to the teller with the hope of resolving the issue, he was met with the same refusal and the unhelpful suggestion to 'come back another day and see if the machine is fixed.'


This experience, which the customer described as 'coming out of left field,' has left a sour taste in his mouth, prompting him to consider taking his banking elsewhere.

'I have been with ANZ for years...I won't be dealing with them after this,' he said, calling on the bank to 'do better, consider your customers and do the right thing.'

The story has struck a chord with other Australians, sparking a debate about the role of human tellers in the era of ATMs and online banking.

While some customers appreciate the convenience of ATMs, others miss the personal touch of face-to-face transactions and lament the reduced number of available machines.

Indeed, the Australian Banking Association's statistics show a strong preference for ATMs, with these machines handling 91 per cent of cash transactions in the 2023 financial year.

ANZ has raised the daily cash withdrawal limit to $2,500 and set a $10,000 limit for ATM deposits.


However, the number of ATMs has been declining, with ANZ closing 1,447 machines over the past five years—a 63 per cent decrease.

The reduction in banking infrastructure isn't limited to ATMs; branches are also closing alarmingly.

Over the last financial year, 230 branches were shuttered, and the total number dropped by 32 per cent compared to five years ago.

Despite this, the Big Four banks have agreed to halt regional branch closures until 31 July 2027, acknowledging the importance of access to banking services for all Australians.

The reliance on digital banking raises concerns for those who still prefer or rely on cash, such as older Australians and those on lower incomes.

The Reserve Bank of Australia notes that around 1.5 million adults use cash as their primary payment method.


In response to these concerns, the CEOs of the Big Four banks have assured customers that cash is 'here to stay.'

This incident at ANZ reminds us that while we embrace the convenience of digital banking, we must not overlook the needs of those who depend on traditional banking services.

It's a delicate balance that banks must strike to ensure they cater to all customers, regardless of their preferred transaction methods.

In other news, since 2019, over half of Australia’s ATMs and a third of bank branches have closed, affecting cash users and older Australians.

While closures in major cities have slowed, 230 branches still shut down in the 2024 financial year, hitting regional and rural areas the hardest. You can read more about it here.
Key Takeaways
  • An ANZ customer was allegedly told he could not deposit $2,400 cash at a branch due to a supposed minimum deposit limit that ANZ later refuted.
  • The customer, attempting to deposit the money at his local Hervey Bay branch, experienced an ATM outage and was subsequently turned away by the teller.
  • The incident has sparked discussions about the banking industry's push towards ATM usage and the reduced availability of in-person branch services.
  • Despite the reduction in ATMs and branches, the Big Four banks, including ANZ, have committed to maintaining cash services, with the Commonwealth Bank CEO affirming that physical cash is 'here to stay'.
Have you faced similar banking challenges or have thoughts on the evolving landscape of banking services? Share your stories and opinions with us, and let's discuss the future of banking for seniors and all Australians.
 

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I had Power of Attorney for my daughter as she is intellectually disabled
and also nominee and Power of Attorney
for my husband.
Nothing "interesting " about it.
As I have no knowledge of your families banking situation, of course I had no idea about your Power of Attorney. Please rest assured I didn't intend to ruffle your feathers. I simply, and obviously, got the wrong end of the stick and read it as further proof of the bank's neglect of duty of care by letting someone close another person's account, which I found interesting.
 
So just another article to have a go at another bank, just because one person had a problem. 🙄
 
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I would have immediately gone to the nearest competitor who didn't have these disgusting fees, opened an account, then go back to the ANZ and direct them to transfer my funds to the new bank. Unfortunately, since the banks were deregulated, they can virtually do what they like.
 
What happens in my case when I don't have a licence, passport or an original birth certificate? I have a "Proof of Age" card.

Many institutions do not accept a "Proof of Age" card as a form of identification if they are over five years old. Optus, for one, refused my card as it was five and half years old, saying it had "expired".

News for Optus. "Proof of Age" cards do not have an expiry date, like licences or passports as verified by the card issuer IN WRITING! But they still didn't believe me!

Can anybody with a "Proof of Age" card show me the "expiry date"? You can't because it doesn't exist!
I had to show my proof of age card today to puck up my click n collect order from Myers and the lady asked for a second I'd, either credit card or Medicare as she didn't believe it was me !!
She thought I was 20 years younger than my photo ! Not sure if to take that as a compliment or not
 
As I have no knowledge of your families banking situation, of course I had no idea about your ) of Attorney. Please rest assured I didn't intend to ruffle your feathers. I simply, and obviously, got the wrong end of the stick and read it as further proof of the bank's neglect of duty of care by letting someone close another person's account, which I found interesting.
No worries, I've been having a cranky few days dealing with NDIS and PATS
( both of whom owe me a considerable amount of money, which they seem to be having trouble parting with). Typical government depts, quick to grab money off you, but slow to pay.
My apologies for my narky reply.🤦‍♀️
 
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Where are you going to get the cash to put under the mattress? Y the bank doesn’t have any!Every time I go intobthe NAB bank and talk to them I have to show Id on top of my bankcard which is common sense today with all the identity theft going on. They should not give you any information on your accounts without confirming photo identification. There is going to be alot of money sitting under mattresses and around the house at this rate if banks don't pull their socks up.
 
I always ask them not to look at the photo on my cards!I had to show my proof of age card today to puck up my click n collect order from Myers and the lady asked for a second I'd, either credit card or Medicare as she didn't believe it was me !!
She thought I was 20 years younger than my photo ! Not sure if to take that as a compliment or not
 
Apologies for the length of this response.

This is ridiculous.
You can only draw out $1000 a day from an ATM. If you need $2400 to pay for something that can't be paid via POS, you must draw out $1000 on day one, $1000 on day two, and $400 on day three.

Security issues include carrying money from the ATM to the car and having that much money in the house.

Interest rates for savings, term deposits, etc., have not increased, but the lack of service has decreased.

With the reduction in staff and services, where are the cost-savings going? From my perspective, you hear how much profit they have made annually. This is due to the reduction in staff and services. How about some of those profits being passed down to customers?

We are giving the executives who are already being paid too much with our money a pay increase.

It will be the same regardless of which bank you go to.

It's not only the banks; Coles and Woolworths have put in self-service checkouts, but prices have not been reduced, and jobs have been lost.

Due to the environment, they have stopped supplying plastic bags for your shopping. We now need to pay for bags (unless you take your own). Where are the savings going? They save on not supplying bags and profit from us having to pay for bags.

End of rant.
Withdrawal limits can be changed, simple online process.
 
I had no trouble depositing over $12000 in cash with the Commonwealth Banka few years ago without announcing it beforehand.
That person withdrew 12k, not deposited.
You may have to let them know in case they are short on cash on a given day.
 
That person withdrew 12k, not deposited.
You may have to let them know in case they are short on cash on a given day.
No the person in the article is depositing $2,400

I'm the only mentioning I withdraw $12,000 without problems and veg deposited $12,000 without problems
 
Some banks ask that you give them notice if you want to withdraw a large sum of cash because they want to ensure that they will not "run out". Wanting to deposit a large sum I would have thought they may question why they had so much cash as it is rare these days. The bank could wonder how somebody that much cash
 
Used to be ANZ customer but had issues . Was with them for over 20 years. Treated with disgusting behaviour so withdrew. $ & closed accounts. Now with ING. Absolutely happy with them.
I don't work for them. L am just a happy old lady. Thank you ING
 

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