NAB’s “disappointing” decision to close its Culcairn branch, among others, could see community banks fill the void left by big banks regionally, according to Hume Bank’s Andrew de Graaff.
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The bank’s decision will leave Culcairn as a one bank town, without any presence of the big four banks.
NAB announced their Ardlethan, Lockhart, Grenfell, Culcairn, Boort, Barham and Euroa branches would close in June.
Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton said it’s disappointing but people weren’t using banks as often in the modern world.
“It’s sad that a major bank is leaving our towns but I guess they have to make a decision based on what’s best for them moving into the future,” she said.
“We are becoming a cashless society and unfortunately this is the way of the future so hopefully we don’t lose more.”
Acting chief executive of Hume Bank, the only bank with a presence left in Culcairn, Andrew de Graaff said they had no plans to leave the “supportive” town.
He said the closures had a “big impact” and could result in more people seeking out community banks, especially if they had a bricks and mortar presence.
“Certainly in Culcairn I think there might be a slight migration to community banks and we’re certainly encouraging residents to come in and have a chat,” he said. “It’s not the first time banks have made this decision by long shot and I don’t think it’ll be the last time.
“But it’s not just banks that are evolving, there are a lot of services and industries expanding and changing in the digital world and customer and consumer behaviour is changing too.”
NAB retail general manager Paul Juergens said 80 per cent of people in affected towns also used other branches in the region.
Mr Juergens said affected customers could bank at Australia Post offices, where they would be able to make deposits up to $10,000 or withdrawals up to $2000 per day.
He said Myrtleford’s NAB branch was not closing but its hours had been reduced.