People’s Choice bank shuts doors in Alice Springs citing ‘rise in the number of serious incidents’ the reason

Alice Springs is set to have one less bank, with People’s Choice saying a “number of serious incidents” and concerns for staff were the catalyst for it to shut its branch in the town.

The Alice Springs People's Choice bank branch on Hartley Street. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Staff members feeling threatened and a “substantial rise in the number of serious incidents” are the reasons behind one bank’s decision to permanently shut its doors in Alice Springs.

As of August 30, People’s Choice bank in Alice Springs, on Hartley St, will be permanently shut – a move chief customer officer Maria-Ann Camilleri said was “not a decision we have made lightly”.

“Over the past year, we have made every effort to keep our people safe so that we could continue to help our members with their banking needs at our Alice Springs branch,” she said.

“Despite implementing a range of safety measures, the only remaining option to protect our people from harm is to permanently close the branch.”

The move comes after the Hartley Street School Museum – located just across the road from the bank – also shut its doors due violence in the area.

“We recognise the important role that bank branches play in local communities, and we are proud to be part of the communities that we serve, however the safety and wellbeing of our people is our top priority,” Ms Camilleri said.

The Alice Springs People's Choice bank branch on Hartley Street. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The remaining People’s Choice banks in Darwin, Casuarina, and Palmerston will stay open, according a statement released from the bank.

For those who still wish to bank in person, People’s Choice is recommending customers transfer to using Bank@Post services, the statement said.

“For those members who choose this option we are committed to ensuring this transition is as easy as possible,” the statement said.

The opposition was quick to latch onto the bank closure, with Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne calling the closure a reminder of “Eva Lawler’s failure to manage the economy, grow business investment, and create jobs for Territorians”.

“Crime is skyrocketing, The Territory’s economy is in free fall, cost of living is crippling business, our population is shrinking, and Labor doesn’t have any new ideas to address it,” he said.

Namatjira MLA Bill Yan also jumped on the bank closure.

“Crime has got so bad under the Lawler Labor government that one of our banks feels it cannot keep its staff safe to serve the community,” he said.

Police Minister Brent Potter hit back the opposition, stating “nothing is more important to the Lawler Labor government than keeping Territorians safe and supporting businesses”.

“It is disappointing to hear of the closure of People’s Choice Bank in Alice Springs, but the CLP’s simple minded “we’re tougher” rhetoric won’t resolve any of the issues faced in the Territory right now,” he said.

“What will resolve those issues is the Lawler Labor government common sense plan to drive down crime, putting 200 more officers on our streets, greater alcohol and DV prevention programs, the Alice Springs Territory Safety Division, getting more kids to school and learning skills leading to long-term employment and pathways from poverty through sustained investment into housing and health.”

Employees at People’s Choice will be offered “an alternate employment opportunity” with the bank, according to the statement from People’s Choice.

People’s Choice members should contact 13 11 82 if they require further assistance.

Originally published as People’s Choice bank shuts doors in Alice Springs citing ‘rise in the number of serious incidents’ the reason