During a tense closed meeting on Tuesday, the recently-assembled group – which features members from agricultural, commercial and non-profit sectors – called for an explanation as to how Junee can keep the branch.

But the collection of five senior ANZ representatives, led by NSW general manager Amanda Heath-Ogden, did not provide the concrete answers the community was looking for, according to those present.

Council general manager James Davis says numerous people at the meeting voiced their concern over the accuracy of the figures on which ANZ is basing the closure. 

Mr Davis said residents have suggested there are anomalies in where accounts are held compared to where the account holder conducts face-to-face transactions. 

“People were not convinced the data they're using to demonstrate the branch is accurate,” he said.

“There were 25 people in the room across all sectors who were largely saying the same thing, that they created an account in Junee but their BSB was based in Wagga.”

Mayor Neil Smith said those at the meeting fought valiantly on behalf of the town. 

“I’m very proud of the way the people of our town rallied at that meeting,” Cr Smith said. 

“But I’m hugely disappointed in the way ANZ has approached this.

“If Junee had some warning to what they were considering in the first place, we could have come out of this a winner.” 

“It’s common courtesy to not keep people in the dark. 

“We’re still hopeful that we can avert this.” 

Cr Smith said the city would reiterate the town’s concerns in writing with a request for definitive answers within the fortnight. 

A working party committee was formed in the aftermath of the emotional meeting with the intention of spearheading the fight to keep the bank in town. 

The committee includes agriculture figures Kate Brabin, Tony Lehmann and Norm Bray.

Neil Smith and James Davis will also head up the committee. 

An ANZ spokeswoman said the bank is “looking into the issues raised and will continue to work with the community through this transition period.”