Corangamite MP Libby Coker has urged NAB to reconsider its decision to close its Drysdale branch next month, stating it would “hurt” the community.
NAB has informed customers in Drysdale it intends to close the branch on March 17, pointing to the increase of digital banking options as a key factor.
“Increasingly customers are banking digitally, with more than 93 per cent of customer interactions now taking place over the phone, by video or online,” NAB retail regional Victoria and Tasmania executive Mil Kairouz 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 Drysdale 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.
“Approximately 65 per cent of our customers in Drysdale have only visited the branch once in the last year and more than 50 per cent of customers are also using other branches in the area such as Ocean Grove or several of our Geelong branches.”
Mr Kairouz said the bank’s decision to close the Drysdale branch would not see jobs lost.
“Importantly, there will be no job losses,” he said.
“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.”
Ms Coker said she was “very disappointed” by the bank’s decision.
“It’s a very busy branch and the closure will affect many people, particularly the elderly who still like to go into the bank to do their banking, and there’ll be many local businesses who want to continue doing their weekly or daily banking in Drysdale,” Ms Coker said.
Ms Coker said she could not fathom why the decision was made at a time when NAB was making bumper profits.
“NAB’s annual profits has soared in the last financial year. It’s made a net profit of more than $6 billion, a jump of nearly 150 per cent,” she said.
“What sort of message does this send to ordinary NAB account holders? Their interests aren’t even prioritised in the good times.”
Mr Kairouz said the bank was still committed to providing banking services to the Greater Geelong community.
“The branch team will be working with customers over the coming weeks until we close, talking with them about the various banking alternatives available,” he said.
“Our existing branches in Belmont, Geelong North, Bellarine Village, and Ocean Grove are also available for our customers.
“We’ve also invested in the region, recently relocating the Malop Street branch in Geelong to new premises and refurbished branches in Waurn Ponds and also Torquay.
“We’re also refurbishing on our Geelong West branch, set for completion in the first quarter of 2022.”
