"Slap in the face"

Closure of bank branches causes protest

(Bild: P. Huber)

Several branches of Raiffeisenbank are to be closed in the district of St. Pölten and Lilienfeld. This is causing outrage among local leaders.

The mayors in the district of Lilienfeld describe the planned closures of Raika branches as a slap in the face. The bank branches in St. Aegyd, Hohenberg, Türnitz, Traisen, St. Veit, Kleinzell and St. Georgen are on the brink of closure. The decision to close these branches came as a surprise to the respective communities, the population and the employees, according to reports.

The local leaders (SPÖ and ÖVP) are protesting loudly against the planned closure and have issued a statement calling for the decision to be reconsidered and reversed. 

"Unsustainable situation"
Monika Feichtinger, Mayor of Traisen in the district of Lilienfeld (SPÖ), considers the decision to be a "bottomless outrage". "We are not only losing valuable jobs, but also a part of our community," she emphasizes. There is still a branch of the Sparkasse in Traisen, which is not the case in villages such as Kleinzell and Hohenberg. "Where are our older citizens supposed to draw their pensions now? How are local businesses supposed to get their income safely to the bank? Are they supposed to drive 15 kilometers through wind and weather to Hainfeld just to carry out basic financial transactions? This is an untenable situation!", said the head of the village. 

Joint protest in front of a Raiffeisen branch

(Bild: zVg)

"Older citizens left in the lurch"
SPÖ mayor Ferdinand Lerchbaumer from Hohenberg also sharply criticized Raiffeisenbank Traisen-Gölsental's decision: "A real low blow for our community!" Older citizens in particular would be left in the lurch and would now be forced to travel unreasonable distances. 

A scandal that will be the last straw, emphasizes Christian Fischer, SPÖ Federal Councillor and Mayor of St. Veit an der Gölsen. Local leader Karl Oysmüller from St. Aegyd am Neuwalde speaks of a deterioration in the quality of life: "The impending vacancy in the heart of our community and the lack of personal advice represent a deterioration in the quality of life that should not be underestimated."