Banks change could cut off thousands of Australians from cash

Major change to banks which could cut off THOUSANDS of Australians from accessing their cash – so is your local on the list?

  • National Australia Bank has cut opening hours at 114 smaller regional branches
  • 38 branches in NSW, 28 in Victoria, 25 in QLD, 19 in WA, four in SA are affected
  • The move is due to less customers going into branches due to the pandemic

National Australia Bank has dramatically slashed opening hours at 114 of its smaller regional branches after a severe decline in footfall during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Dozens of NAB branches in rural New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia will close their doors at 12.30pm instead of between 1.30-5pm. 

Thirty-eight locations in NSW, 28 in Victoria, 25 in Queensland, 19 in WA and four in SA will be impacted, leaving customers unable to bank after lunchtime.

Some branches will be open for just three hours a day, with customers told to use internet banking instead.

NAB’s group executive of personal banking Rachel Slade said the bank is adjusting its opening due to less customers going into branches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Instead of working face-to-face, staff at the affected branches will be at NAB’s call centre or at the online chat service

NAB's group executive of personal banking Rachel Slade said the bank is adjusting its opening due to less customers going into branches due to the COVID-19 pandemic

NAB’s group executive of personal banking Rachel Slade said the bank is adjusting its opening due to less customers going into branches due to the COVID-19 pandemic

‘Our branches continue to be a really important part of many local communities especially for local businesses. Nobody is losing their jobs as a result of these reduced hours,’ she told the Daily Telegraph. 

The changes will come into effect from Monday, August 17.

Instead of working face-to-face, staff at the affected branches will be at NAB’s call centre or at the online chat service. 

Ms Slade said NAB was ‘hoping to keep regional and rural branches open until at least January next year’.  

But National Seniors Australia’s chief advocate Ian Henschke said 2.5 million Australians don’t have access to the internet and need to go into branches. 

‘This is compromise which is far better than the alternative which is where we have seen banks shutting down branches and providing no service to the community,’ he said.

‘There’s been some cases where older people have had to travel one hour each way to do their banking.’ 

AFFECTED NAB BRANCHES 

NSW

Coonabarabran

Barraba

Bellingen

Berry

Bombala Agency

Bourke

Corowa

Cobar

Condobolin Agency

Coonamble

Dorrigo

Finley Agency

Forbes

Gilgandra

Gloucester

Guyra Agency

Holbrook

Kyogle

Lake Cargelligo Agency

Laurieton

Narooma

Mullumbimby

Narrandera Agency

Narromine

Nyngan

Oberon

Quirindi

Scone

South West Rocks

Sussex Inlet Agency

Tenterfield

Tocumwal Agency

Tumbarumba Agency

Uralla

Walcha

Warren

Wee Waa

West Wyalong  

 

Queensland 

Bargara Agency

Biggenden

Blackwater

Capella

Clifton

Cloncurry

Cunnamulla

Dysart

Esk

Inglewood Agency

Injune Agency

Miles

Millmerran

Mitchell Agency

Monto

Mundubbera

Murgon

Oakey

Pittsworth

Proserpine

Quilpie

Richmond (QLD)

Texas

Tin Can Bay

Winton

Western Australia 

Corrigin

Denmark

Dongara

Dowerin Agency

Dunsborough

Kalbarri Agency

Karratha

Katanning

Kellerberrin

Kojonup

Kondinin Agency

Kununurra

Manjimup

Northampton

Port Hedland

Three Springs

Wagin

Waroona

Wyalkatchem

 

Victoria

Ararat

Castlemaine

Balmoral Agency

Bright

Cobden

Cohuna

Mansfield

Nagambie

Edenhope Agency

Heathcote

Inverloch

Jeparit Agency

Kaniva Agency

Kerang

Maffra Agency

Numurkah

Nhill

Tatura

Orbost Agency

Ouyen

Rainbow Agency

Rutherglen

St Arnaud Agency

Terang

Timboon

Wallan

Whittlesea

Yarram Agency

South Australia

Jamestown

Meningie

Strathalbyn

Roxby Downs  

 

 

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