NAB sets plans to shut down 13 branches this year—Will you be affected?

The National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced plans to close 13 branches across the country this year, a move that will impact thousands of customers.

This decision is a response to the changing banking habits of Australians, with more and more people opting for digital banking solutions.



The branch said the closure was a ‘difficult’ decision, but it was made because of the changing customer banking habits.

‘With more customers choosing to bank online, over the phone, or by video, and because fewer customers are using branches to do their banking, we’ve made the difficult decision to close some of our branches,’ it said on its website.


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NAB will be closing more branches this year. Credit: Shutterstock


NAB's Retail Executive, Krissie Jones, explained the decision, stating, 'Over the last few years, we've seen the single largest transformation in banking in Australia's history as more of us choose to bank digitally.’

‘Our customers now have banking technology at their fingertips, through their devices, and more than 93 per cent of customer transactions now take place online.'

‘We acknowledge that big change is not always easy, and reshaping our branch network sometimes requires difficult decisions.’

While the move towards digital banking offers convenience for many, it also poses challenges for those who prefer or rely on in-person banking services.



For example, in Morwell, Victoria, 54 per cent of customers have visited the branch once in the previous year, with 6 per cent of customers relying solely on branch-only banking.

However, 73 per cent of Morewell customers are registered for online and/or telephone banking.

Similarly, in Oberon and Lithgow, NSW, 51 per cent and 57 per cent of customers respectively have visited their local branches at least once in the last year.

To mitigate the impact of these closures, NAB has provided alternative branch options and the nearest post office offering Bank@Post services for each affected location.

Jones has also assured that no employees will lose their jobs due to the closures, with all staff being offered other roles within the bank.

She said the decision to close more branches this year was made with ‘the community and our customers in mind’.



The closure of these branches is part of a broader trend in the banking industry.

In 2023, NAB closed more branches across NSW, QLD, VIC, and WA. As digital banking continues to grow, we can expect to see further changes in the physical presence of banks.

See the list of branches closing this 2024 below:
NAB Branches Closing in 2024.jpg
Key Takeaways
  • NAB is scheduled to close 13 branches across various Australian states in 2024 due to changing customer banking habits.
  • The bank has provided alternative options and detailed information on why each branch is closing, citing low in-person visitation rates.
  • All affected employees have been offered other roles within the bank, ensuring no jobs will be lost due to the closures.
  • This decision reflects a broader trend of customers preferring digital banking, with over 93 per cent of customer transactions now occurring online.
Have you made the switch to digital banking, or do you still prefer to bank in person? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
 
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Admittedly, I do most of my banking online, but there are still occasions when I want/need the face to face contact with a bank employee. It’s so sad that there have been and are so many banks closing down. When I walk past the banks, there are always people waiting inside to be served.
 
Our branch in Kenmore QLD was closed years ago - very upsetting. We have to go to Indooroopilly and line up for 2 tellers. They couldn’t even leave an ATM at Kenmore! I’m sure their massive salaries haven’t changed. We are shareholders in NAB also - dividends aren’t much chop either. Reminds me of the Count of Monte Cristo. Get a job in the bank….
 
Can't wait for the headline "NAB CLOSES 13 CORPORATE OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY".

But that will never happen! More likely the new headline will read "NAB PROUDLY ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OFFICE IN SYDNEY.

National Australia Bank has announced the opening of its new state headquarters located in Parramatta. The new office will create 980 new jobs for shiny arsed bean counters who wouldn't know what customer service was even if it hit them in the face like a cold fish.

Details at 6.
 
It's all about the all mighty $$ and how much they can brag about how much they have made people donot mean anything to them just a CEO who will make Millions in bonuses by saying how much the bank has made
I use to bank with the ANZ and when I moved to out of the city there was a ANZ branch there it was also a decision maker for me so I would not have to travel 50 minutes by freeway to get to my bank then they closed it, the Commonwealth and the NBA got a heap of new customers, then came Bendigo Bank they got tellers and real people to help one and thats where I will stay plus they help the local community as well, to good to be true, as for the big players well thats what they are players and it's there way or go away
 
Bendigo Bank can go....go as far away as possible. Damn rip offs who make the "Big Four" appear like angels.

I won't say what the reasons are in fear of repeating myself for the upteenth time on the SDC website.

If you want to read my posts, try the search function at the top of the forum main screen.
 
Just like with everything, USE IT OR LOSE IT. The Banks have driven this move.

Banks have been ushering people out of their branch doors for 4 decades starting with the introduction of ATMs from the 1980s.

By 2024, thousands of their customers are trained tech users.

Banks are quietly pleased with the success they've had, like we are when we've trained our children or pets out of or into a desired behaviour.

DLHM's comment above is testament to Banks' success. This is not criticism of the person, it just illustrates how people have been moved on to tech by the Banks' strategies (through the imposition of fees mostly and the downgrading of customer service).

Banks in 2024 though won't fess up to their role in this shift. They instead choose to say:

"Customers are not needing branches, just look at the official statistics! Well customers' actions are making our branches redundant."

Think about it.
 
You just wonder. Which comes first - the lack of customer service making people go online or the lack of branches where they have little choice or as they say preference of online. It’s easy to make it seem like you are doing the right thing for your customers. It’s called marketing
 
This will be the 2nd Major Bank closure in Lithgow. The major Banks should be ashamed of themselves for what they are doing to country towns. This is the real reason why the BIG BANKS are stating that people don't use their branch's or cash anymore, the banks won't let us. They are taking away our free will and options.
 
Bendigo Bank can go....go as far away as possible. Damn rip offs who make the "Big Four" appear like angels.

I won't say what the reasons are in fear of repeating myself for the upteenth time on the SDC website.

If you want to read my posts, try the search function at the top of the forum main screen.
Any reason why anyone would especially want to search for your posts? 🤔 Are you somebody special?
 
The nearest local branch of my bank is about a 15 minute drive away in the local shopping centre. I went to that branch once about 4 years ago to ask about something. Have never needed to visit again.

It's much easier to do everything online now. People can moan all they like, but they'll have to keep up with progress at some time?
 
Any reason why anyone would especially want to search for your posts? 🤔 Are you somebody special?
I'm only important in my own mirror. If people want verification of my reasons for my dislike of Bendigo Bank, they can research it at their own desire. I am not in the habit of repeating myself ad infinitum.
 
You just wonder. Which comes first - the lack of customer service making people go online or the lack of branches where they have little choice or as they say preference of online. It’s easy to make it seem like you are doing the right thing for your customers. It’s called marketing
 
  • Angry
Reactions: Monks
Exactly. For us it was the lack of service. In Perth suburbs we always went into the branch. When we moved rural the ANZ had less and less hours to eventually closing the doors. We had no choice but to do all our banking on-line. We looked at changing banks to Commonwealth but being retired they said we wouldn’t qualify for a credit card (which we use when we travel).
 
The trouble with using an agent such as Post Office instead of a bank branch is that you then are charged fees for each transaction. Thank goodness I use a Credit Union where the members are the owners.
 

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