Media Release from Andrew Gee
MP
NAB refuses to reverse decision to axe Lithgow and
Oberon branches
February 15, 2024
Independent Federal member for Calare, Andrew Gee, said that it
was extremely disappointing that the National Australia Bank has
refused to reverse its decision to close branches in Lithgow and
Oberon.
"Today I met with NAB representatives at Parliament House in
Canberra and asked them to reverse their decision to axe their
Lithgow and Oberon branches. They refused, which is true to form but
nevertheless is extremely disappointing to say the least. I also
asked them whether they would keep their ATM facility open at
Lithgow and open one up at Oberon," Mr Gee said.
"For Lithgow, they wouldn't go so far as to make a commitment,
saying they wanted to but that it was dependant on there being an
available site. For Oberon, they just ruled it out. They offered
nothing in that meeting that they haven't already said. While I give
them some credit for turning up to meet with me, it honestly felt
like they were just going through the motions.
"I don't think these banks have a real understanding of the
distances that country people have to travel if they want to access
a branch. There is little thought given to seniors and vulnerable
customers who don't have access to transport. They have a very
city-centric attitude.
"To access face-to-face banking, NAB customers in Oberon will be
forced to complete a 90km to 100km round trip to Bathurst, while NAB
customers in Lithgow must make an approximately 80km to 90km round
trip to the Katoomba branch, or head to Bathurst which is a round
trip of about 125km.
See also -
National Bank branches to close
in Oberon and Lithgow
"The infuriating thing about this is that last year NAB made a
massive profit of $7.7 billion. That eye watering profit has been
made possible by shutting branches in country areas that have
supported the bank through the generations and made the bank what it
is today.
"Despite the glossy ads, the big banks are walking away from the
very communities who built them and it just keeps on going. Not even
the current parliamentary inquiry has slowed them down. The closures
just keep on coming.
"They deny it, but the banks have been deliberately downgrading
the level of service in their branches to get more and more people
using online or phone banking.
"As they downgrade their branches and fewer people come through
the door, it makes it easy for them to put out a press release
trying to justify branch closures and telling people to "go to the
post office." It's a cop-out and right out of the big bank play
book.
"The only thing the big banks fear is government regulation and
that's why the Australian Government needs to get on with
legislating minimum service requirements for banks in country
areas," said Mr Gee.
