In 2018, the way customers are banking in the Riverina and the surrounding areas has changed.
Today, in response, NAB confirms changes to some of its branches in the area.
NAB invests $1.6M to improve branches in the Riverina and surrounding areas in 2017 and 2018.
Following consultation with local teams, NAB can confirm Ardlethan, Lockhart, Grenfell, Culcairn, Boort, Barham and Euroa branches will close in June.
Customers in these towns can continue to do their banking at Australia Post offices, including making deposits up to $10,000 cash or withdrawals up to $2,000 per day.
NAB continues to back the Riverina through its other NAB branches across the region, sponsorships, including NAB AFL Auskick, and by funding and advocating for infrastructure so regional areas can grow.
Our business and agri bankers will continue to service the areas.
Locally, NAB is investing more than $1.6M into improving branches in Cowra, Seymour and Kerang, completed last year, and Tatura, Alexandra and Griffith, scheduled to be completed by September 2018, including installing and upgrading 32 ATMs in the area. Many of these ATMs are ‘Smart ATMs’, where customers can make deposits, check balances, and withdraw cash so customers can bank at their convenience.
As improvements are made to some branches, other branches in the area will be closing. Between 80-90% of NAB customers in Ardlethan, Lockhart, Grenfell and Culcairn are using other branches in the area such as Temora, Wagga Wagga, Young and Holbrook. Similarly approximately 85% of customers using Euroa, Boort and Barham are using other branches .
NAB General Manager, Retail, Paul Juergens, explained the decision was a difficult one to make and was only made after careful consideration.
“While our branches continue to be an important part of what we do at NAB, the way our customers are banking has changed dramatically in recent years,” Mr Juergens said.
“Increasingly we find that our customers are banking at other branches, or prefer to do their banking online, on the phone, or through our mobile app.
“In the locations we are closing, more than 80% of our customers are also using our other NAB branches in the area.
“Importantly, we are continuing to support the Riverina and surrounding areas, including a $1.6M investment into other branches in the area as well as through local sponsorships.”
Mr Juergens emphasised that NAB wants to continue to help our customers with their banking.
“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be spending time with our customers explaining the different banking options available to them, including online banking and banking through Australia Post.
“We know that some NAB customers still like to bank in person, which is why we have a strong relationship with Australia Post offices, which offer banking services on NAB’s behalf.
“At Australia Post, NAB customers can do banking like check account balances, pay bills and make deposits up to $10,000 cash or withdrawals up to $2,000 per day.”
NAB is working with our local branch employees to discuss their next steps.
“When we make changes to our branches, we make every effort to find opportunities for our local teams at other branches in our network, and often this is possible. If we can’t find opportunities, we help our employees through The Bridge, our industry leading program where employees are provided up to six months of career coaching as they decide what’s next for them - whether that be retirement, pursuing a new career or starting a small business.”