I thought it was ridiculous NAB asked me why I wanted to withdraw my own money… staff didn’t like my joke and now I have to switch banks

By BRETT LACKEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 02:14 BST, 5 June 2025 | Updated: 02:30 BST, 5 June 2025

An Australian business owner has complained he now has to switch banks because he was banned from withdrawing his own money over a poorly received joke.

Rohan Cannon took to TikTok to explain that he buys manufacturing equipment from overseas for his business – natural wellness and skincare company CannonBalm – and needed to send the payment directly to them.   

‘I’ve got to get it delivered from the factory in China that’s been making it, so I went to the bank branch to transfer the money to the manufacturers,’ Mr Cannon said.

‘They’re like, “your international transfer limits too high, what are you transferring money for?” and I said it was for some equipment.’

He then said the staff member told him he would have to ring phone banking over the $3,500 amount, which he did from inside the branch.

The customer service officer on phone banking then asked him again what he wanted to withdraw the money for.

‘I said, “I need to purchase goods'” and they’re like, ‘”we need to know what the goods are.” I felt this was completely unnecessary to go through it again and explain it to yet another National Australia Bank employee what I was spending my money on.

‘So I was like, “I want it for cocaine and hookers” and well now I’m banned from making international transfers.’

Tough crowd: Rohan Cannon said he was barred from withdrawing his money and transferring it overseas after he made an inappropriate joke

The business owner said the staff member explained they could not release his money because the bank could not ‘support the illegal drug trade’.

‘I said “I was kidding about that but I need to buy some equipment” and they said that it was too late we’ve got the recording of you saying that’s what you want to spend your money on. 

‘I said, “so I’ll never be able to transfer the money I need out of my account internationally?” and they’re were like, “one day you might be able to again” and so now I’ve got to close my account.

‘I’ve got to open a new account with another bank and change all of my banking details just so that I can order the equipment I need to keep manufacturing product in Australia.

‘That’s how f***ing crazy the world has become.’

Social media users were divided with some taking Mr Cannon’s side and others pointing out the bank was just doing its due diligence.

‘These banks have no right to ask their customers what they want to with their money,’ one person said.

Some argued the banks are required to check for anti-money laundering reasons or that, ‘It’s because people get scammed regularly and then the banks get the blame’.

‘At my local branch if you want to withdraw or transfer more than $2,000 they ask you what are you using it for? and my answer is always the same, none of your business,’ another said.

Some viewers on the TIkTok pointed out the bank was likely just doing due diligence to protect against scams and money laundering

‘That’s why I don’t keep my money in the bank,’ another said.

One said they had ‘learnt to have no loyalty to any bank, insurance or phone company’. 

‘If you won’t take care of me or help me I will just move. My car insurance just went up by $14 a month… so I said okay I will look elsewhere.’ they said.

‘Imagine when cash is gone and they have complete control over everything.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted NAB for comment.

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I thought it was ridiculous NAB asked me why I wanted to withdraw my own money… staff didn’t like my joke and now I have to switch banks

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