LOCAL Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker today called on the National Australia Bank to keep the doors of its Nambucca Heads branch open permanently.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a letter to Mr Hartsuyker, the National Australia Bank stated it would not be renewing the lease on the Nambucca Heads branch, with doors closing to customers in March 2018. The bank has suggested using the Macksville or Coffs Harbour branches as alternatives.
Mr Hartsuyker said he had written to the National Australia Bank, requesting they keep the branch open.
Related:
“The broader Nambucca Heads community will be disappointed by this decision,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“Nambucca Heads and the surrounding communities are home to an aging population, so suggesting that customers can travel to Macksville or Coffs Harbour to withdraw or deposit money is not an ideal situation for this demographic, nor is it a sustainable alternative.”
Mr Hartsuyker said that the branch closure made no sense, with the increased population and economic growth in the area due to the Pacific Highway upgrade.
“I think it is illogical for the National Australia Bank to pull out of Nambucca Heads at a time when the region is experiencing strong growth, especially when banks like the National Australia Bank help underpin and support the local economy.”
How do you feel about this? Email christian.knight@fairfaxmedia.com.au
In a statement from NAB’s Head of Retail Customers for Regional NSW/ACT, Jackie Connors:
“We are seeing fewer people using branches like they used to with more than 90 per cent of our customer interactions now through digital channels.
“In response to the changing ways customers are banking with us – with 48 per cent of customers visiting the Nambucca Heads branch just once a year or less, and 86 per cent of customers also visiting other branches - the Nambucca Heads branch will close on Thursday 1 March 2018.
“We have contacted customers to let them know they can bank with us at the Macksville branch (14km away) and also via the NAB mobile app, internet or telephone.
“We understand that some customers would like to continue to do their banking in person and are not able to visit other branches or use internet banking, which is why NAB has a relationship with Australia Post that allows them to withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and check their account balance using Bank@Post – including at the Nambucca Heads Post Office.”
