Westpac has confirmed it is closing 19 of its branches - including the Ranfurly and Te Anau branches and the Gardens branch in Dunedin - with all closures expected in early November.
The bank said in a statement that it acknowledged the quality of submissions and feedback from staff and communities, and would be discussing ideas from the submissions with community leaders.
"It is anticipated branches impacted will close in early November, however supporting customers through the change is a priority," it said.
Impacted branches are: Kamo, Raglan, Otorohanga, Putaruru, Te Aroha, Cherrywood, Whangamata, Broadway Ave, Wainuiomata, Waikanae, Carterton, Takaka, Stoke, Fendalton Mall, Bishopdale, Gardens, Fairlie, Ranfurly and Te Anau.
First Union national organiser Tali Williams said the announcement was disappointing.
"We weren't expecting that many to close - there was such a strong community response against the closures that we were really hopeful that Westpac would have amended the proposals perhaps to reduced days or hours, but to close it entirely is a very big deal for those communities and those workers."
Williams said the closures would likely affect between 60 and 70 staff.
Westpac met with staff this afternoon and it is understood the consultation process on redeployment or redundancy will begin from tomorrow.
"They would have only just heard about half an hour ago so a lot of them will be feeling deeply distressed and talking with families and with each other about what their future may hold," Williams said.
"Our role now is supporting these people and making sure they can sort out new futures for themselves and their families."
