Lawrence residents will continue to fight to have a bank in the township after NZCU South signalled it would stick to its plan to close its doors next month.
Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board chairman Geoff Davidson said the board would write to NZCU South expressing its disappointment, but supporting the union's decision to retain an ATM machine.
The board would also approach other banks to see if they were interested in opening a branch in Lawrence, Mr Davidson said.
Yesterday, NZCU South announced it would keep its recently installed ATM in the town, despite the closing its Lawrence branch.
The branch, which opened each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, is to close on September 7, making its three employees redundant.
In a statement released yesterday, NZCU South said it wished to continue supporting the Lawrence community by providing an ATM service.
The ATM is the only cash withdrawal facility available 24 hours a day in the township.
On August 16, 100 people gathered to voice their concerns about the branch closure and to show support for its employees.
Board member Roger Cotton said those protesting the bank's closure were fighting to keep their bank, not just their ATM.
"Not everyone has internet banking. People need cash and change to run their businesses. It's a huge blow to them, and to the elderly, in particular."
Mr Cotton said he understood many Lawrence residents were changing banks, so they could visit branches in Milton or Balclutha, drives of 33km or 55km respectively.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he was disappointed the credit union was sticking by its decision to close the branch.
"As a council, we tried to give NZCU South options to try and keep the branch open, but the credit union says it needs to do more than just break even. It's a blow to the town."
However, NZCU South chief executive Andrew Leys was confident the credit union's members and the wider community of Lawrence knew the credit union was doing all it could to ensure concerns were listened to and addressed.
"Despite the regrettable, yet unavoidable, closure of our local branch in Lawrence, we're pleased to inform our members and local residents that their credit union ATM will be staying ... [we] think this is a strong community which should continue to have access to a 24/7 ATM machine," Mr Leys said.
