First Union organiser Dion Martin said Palmerston North staff were disappointed the branch was closing but pleased more roles had been found.

Palmerston North's mayor is deeply disappointed in Westpac's decision to close its CDB branch, but staff were pleased to hear more roles than previously expected would be available at other nearby branches .

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith had asked Westpac to hold off for three years on closing its branch, but the bank announced it would be one of 19 around the country to close in November.

Stuff was told in August up to 70 jobs could go, and in Palmerston North five full-time and four part-time roles will be affected.

David Unwin/ Fairfax NZ Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith had campaigned for Westpac to hold onto its Broadway Ave branch for another three years.

First Union organiser Dion Martin said originally only two part-time roles at the Plaza Shopping Centre branch had been available for staff who wished to stay on.

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Talks between Westpac and First Union resulted in an additional three full-time and one part-time roles being made available at the Terrace End and Plaza branches, as well as another part-time role in Feilding, Martin said.

"This was a real victory, and staff are please they now have these options. We're very optimistic that it will now work out well [for staff]."

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith said he was surprised the Broadway Ave branch was on the chopping block because it seemed to be quite busy.

"I went past it the other day and it was four deep at four o'clock."

Smith said both he and the Palmerston North City Council had discussed the closure of Westpac's Broadway Ave branch with the bank.

"I've tried to avoid making an emotional appeal, we've got the best business case [of the affected branches] to keep some sort of manned presence."

He said the council has put a lot of investment into the city's CBD, and council figures were showing an economic improvement for retail tenants.

"We're bringing more and more activity and events into The Square, which is having huge benefits for nearby retail tenants such as Westpac.

"They've been [on Broadway Ave] through some terrible years, I've asked for Westpac to give it three years to see how these effects shake out."

Foot traffic has increased, leases have strengthened, and the CBD was making a comeback, Smith said

"[The council is] a key city customer of Westpac. We're very disappointed that, as the city's bank, they haven't backed the city's revitalisation plans."

Palmerston North resident Austin Treneman used the Broadway Ave branch four times a week. He said the branch's closure would be annoying, but not a huge inconvenience.

Glen Sullivan said the branch was in a handy location for him.

"I come in every fortnight after work, it only takes ten minutes to get there. If it closes I'll have to go to the Plaza [Shopping Centre]."

Sullivan was concerned the Plaza branch could get crowded if all the customers from Broadway shift to that branch.

Branches set to close are: Kamo, Cherrywood in Tauranga, Broadway Avenue in Palmerston North, Bishopdale in Christchurch, Gardens in Dunedin, Waikanae, Carterton, Raglan, Ranfurly, Te Aroha, Fendalton Mall in Christchurch, Putaruru, Whangamata, Takaka, Stoke, Wainuiomata, Te Anau, Fairlie and Otorohanga.