Customers outraged as major bank rejects cash in multiple branches
By
VanessaC
- Replies 38
In a move that has left many customers reeling, a major bank has announced that several of its branches will no longer be accepting cash transactions.
This includes coin deposits and a limit on the number of notes that can be deposited.
This decision has sparked outrage among customers, particularly those who rely on cash transactions for their day-to-day banking needs.
ANZ customers have reported that they were unable to make deposits or withdrawals of coins and $5 notes in some branches.
One customer, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their experience of being told that their local branch no longer dealt with $5 notes or coins.
The customers were reportedly advised to visit another branch to get the $1 and $2 coins they needed.
'As a not-for-profit, we take our receipts to deposit them into our account every month—and we do get lots of $5 notes,' the customer shared.
'Let's hope other banks won't follow suit.'
This move by ANZ is part of a broader trend towards digital banking and a cashless society.
However, it has raised concerns among customers who fear being charged 'unfair' fees or card surcharges that come with the 'convenience' of cashless transactions.
Those who voiced their complaints via email were advised to contact the banking ombudsman.
The changes have also caused inconvenience for small business owners.
One such customer reported that when they visited their branch, they were unable to withdraw $5 notes.
'I was informed by a staff member that they could help me with the $20 and $10 notes but that the branch no longer dealt with $5 notes or coins, and I would have to go to another branch to get these denominations,' the customer said.
This decision by ANZ seems to contradict the statement made by ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott during a Senate hearing about branch closures in regional areas in September.
He stated that small business owners were the primary visitors to physical branches for cash transactions.
'They're using them because it's still a way in which they can access or make transactions with cash,' Mr Elliott said in the inquiry.
An ANZ spokesperson clarified that 'full service branches and business cash hubs' would continue to accept deposits and issue withdrawals of all Australian denominations of coins and notes. However, they clarified that in some of their branches, ‘staff will no longer handle cash'.
The move towards a cashless society has been gaining momentum in Australia, with fears that notes and coins will soon no longer be considered legal tender.
In March, ANZ announced that some of its outlets in Victoria would no longer dispense cash as only eight per cent of customers were still visiting branches.
Critics have warned that the move to cashless banks could cause significant harm to older people and those with disabilities who still rely on branches and physical cash.
The number of bank branches has fallen by about 30 per cent in the past five years, and ATMs have decreased even more, with figures showing that they have fallen from a high of 14,000 in 2017 to around 6,000 as of last year.
The Reserve Bank estimated that only 13 per cent of transactions in late 2022 were in cash, a significant decrease in just three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Competition (ACCC) also clearly states on its website that businesses are not expected to take cash.
'Businesses should be clear about the types of payments they accept and the total price payable,' the ACCC said.
'When using a payment method other than cash, consumers should read any terms and conditions carefully.'
What do you think about this move towards a cashless society? Have you been affected by these changes? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
This includes coin deposits and a limit on the number of notes that can be deposited.
This decision has sparked outrage among customers, particularly those who rely on cash transactions for their day-to-day banking needs.
ANZ customers have reported that they were unable to make deposits or withdrawals of coins and $5 notes in some branches.
One customer, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their experience of being told that their local branch no longer dealt with $5 notes or coins.
The customers were reportedly advised to visit another branch to get the $1 and $2 coins they needed.
'As a not-for-profit, we take our receipts to deposit them into our account every month—and we do get lots of $5 notes,' the customer shared.
'Let's hope other banks won't follow suit.'
This move by ANZ is part of a broader trend towards digital banking and a cashless society.
However, it has raised concerns among customers who fear being charged 'unfair' fees or card surcharges that come with the 'convenience' of cashless transactions.
Those who voiced their complaints via email were advised to contact the banking ombudsman.
The changes have also caused inconvenience for small business owners.
One such customer reported that when they visited their branch, they were unable to withdraw $5 notes.
'I was informed by a staff member that they could help me with the $20 and $10 notes but that the branch no longer dealt with $5 notes or coins, and I would have to go to another branch to get these denominations,' the customer said.
This decision by ANZ seems to contradict the statement made by ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott during a Senate hearing about branch closures in regional areas in September.
He stated that small business owners were the primary visitors to physical branches for cash transactions.
'They're using them because it's still a way in which they can access or make transactions with cash,' Mr Elliott said in the inquiry.
An ANZ spokesperson clarified that 'full service branches and business cash hubs' would continue to accept deposits and issue withdrawals of all Australian denominations of coins and notes. However, they clarified that in some of their branches, ‘staff will no longer handle cash'.
The move towards a cashless society has been gaining momentum in Australia, with fears that notes and coins will soon no longer be considered legal tender.
In March, ANZ announced that some of its outlets in Victoria would no longer dispense cash as only eight per cent of customers were still visiting branches.
Critics have warned that the move to cashless banks could cause significant harm to older people and those with disabilities who still rely on branches and physical cash.
The number of bank branches has fallen by about 30 per cent in the past five years, and ATMs have decreased even more, with figures showing that they have fallen from a high of 14,000 in 2017 to around 6,000 as of last year.
The Reserve Bank estimated that only 13 per cent of transactions in late 2022 were in cash, a significant decrease in just three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Competition (ACCC) also clearly states on its website that businesses are not expected to take cash.
'Businesses should be clear about the types of payments they accept and the total price payable,' the ACCC said.
'When using a payment method other than cash, consumers should read any terms and conditions carefully.'
Key Takeaways
- ANZ has announced that staff at several of its branches will no longer handle cash, causing outrage among customers.
- Customers claimed they could not make deposits or withdrawals of coins and $5 notes at some branches.
- The change fuelled existing fears that Australia is moving toward becoming a 'cashless society.'
- Critics say the move could harm older people and those with disabilities who still rely on physical cash and branches.