NAB to shut up shop in October

13th Jul 2021

Janelle Stewart

Guyra will be reduced to just one banking service in October, with the National Australia Bank preparing to close its doors for good. It follows the closure of Westpac in 2015 and the Commonwealth Bank in 2018. Customers were informed of the decision by letter telling them that the branch will close on October 7th.
The bank has gradually reduced services in the community over recent years. In 2016 they went from a five day service to opening only three days a week. Their hours were further reduced last year to half days. NAB is also closing its branch in Uralla.
NAB Retail Customer Executive, Wesley Tronson has attributed the closure to a move by customers to online banking.
“Increasingly customers are banking digitally, with more than 93% of customer interactions now taking place over the phone, by video or online,” Mr Tronson said. “As more and more customers are choosing to bank online, we’re investing in improving our digital platform to make it easier and faster.
“While our physical branch presence in Guyra and Uralla will no longer be there, we will still be there for our customers – just in different ways.”
“Over the past few years, fewer customers are coming into branches to do their banking and foot traffic has lessened, which has been accelerated by COVID. More than 50% of our customers in Guyra and Uralla have only visited these branches once in the last year and 70% of customers are also using other branches in the region such as Armidale.“

In support of this, last week we confirmed that as part of a $100 million investment this year in our branch network, the nearby Armidale branch will be undergoing a refurbishment. Once completed, this multi-million dollar Regional Banking Hub will provide an enhanced level of service for our Retail, Business and Agri Business customers, all in the one centralised location.”

Mr Tronson said that the branch team will be working with customers over the coming months until they close, talking with them about the various banking alternatives available. These include the recently renewed 10-year partnership with Australia Post and the Bank@post service as well as connecting with mobile bankers, home lending specialists or business bankers in person or for phone or video appointments.
“Our Agri and regional customers will continue to be supported by our specialist bankers, who visit customers on their farms and at businesses to support with their banking needs. Customers can also continue to make deposits and withdrawals at the local Australia Post in Guyra or Uralla.”
“Importantly, there will be no job losses. Over the coming weeks we will be working with our colleagues from this branch on opportunities for them to continue to support customers either through other branches or across phone and digital channels.”

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NAB to shut up shop in October

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