ABERDEEN NEWS - The Absa branch in Aberdeen will be closed indefinitely as of 8 July.

Existing accounts will be transferred to the Graaff-Reinet branch, and the ATM machine currently outside the Absa branch in Aberdeen will be serviced from Graaff-Reinet.

Fortunately, the branch's three staff members have been given positions in other branches, with relocations to Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East and Port Elizabeth.

Unlike Standard Bank, which announced the closing of over 90 branches countrywide, Absa's Managing Executive of Physical Channels Tshiwela Mhlantla explained that Absa does not have a target of branches to close.

"When evaluating the impact of a branch to a community and the customers it serves, each case is considered individually," Mhlantla said.

The Aberdeen branch has seen a steady decline in frontline customer activity. Mhlantla said that this is attributed to customers using self-service platforms such as ATMs, internet banking, and mobile banking.

Absa was not prepared to disclose the number of customers affected by the closure, but many include farmers from the area who need to pay their workers.

One farmer, who wish to remain unnamed, explained to the Advertiser that it is not safe to draw large amounts from the ATM, so they may decide to go, with their workers, to the branch in Graaff-Reinet.

Others who might be affected by the closure are those who do not know how to make transactions electronically, and who previously relied on the assistance of the bank staff.

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