Biggenden NAB branch slated for July closure
The federal MP for Flynn has slammed a decision by the National Australia Bank to close another country branch this year, demanding the banks stop treating regional communities like second class citizens.
Central & North Burnett
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central & North Burnett. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The National Australia Bank has announced it will close its Biggenden branch on Thursday, July 27, 2023, a decision that has been slammed by Flynn MP Colin Boyce.
Mr Boyce has called on the NAB and other major banks to “stop treating our regional communities like second class citizens”.
Wild yarns, druggie dogs: 60+ country vets share their stories
“Bank branch closures have occurred all over the Flynn electorate in communities such as Gladstone, Biloela, Theodore, Mundubbera, Gin Gin, Gayndah, Gracemere, Monto and Mount Morgan,” Mr Boyce said.
50+ photos: Town turns orange, parties in name of citrus
“Constituents in some communities have to drive hours to visit their nearest branch because of bank branch closures. It is simply not good enough.”
In their announcement and fact sheet the NAB is encouraging Biggenden customers to make their way to the closest NAB bank when seeking banking services.
The bank listed the Childers NAB branch as the ideal location, a 30-minute drive away.
Amid a rising cost of living, Queensland Senator and Chair of the Regional and Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee, Matthew Canavan, said the advice was “disappointing”.
“While NAB is able to make over $4 billion in profit, they can’t find a place to provide an essential service to people in regional areas,” he said.
When sharing their reasoning behind the decision, NAB said “over the past few years, fewer customers are coming into branches to do their banking and foot traffic has lessened”.
“Approximately 39 per cent of our customers in Biggenden have only visited the branch once in the last year.”
The bank said almost 90 per cent of Biggenden customers were registered for online banking and or telephone banking.
“While this may be viable for some people, I have serious concerns for our elderly that rely on these bank branches,” Mr Boyce said.
The Central and North Burnett Council and the NAB have been approached for comment.
The Palaszczuk supporters who have abandoned Steven Miles
An exclusive Courier-Mail poll reveals many of the voters who helped an Annastacia Palaszczuk-led Labor secure victory at the last state election have returned to the LNP.
Who won week three? Watch most BRUTAL Voter Verdict yet
The Courier-Mail’s Voter Verdict have weighed in on the third week of the election campaign with a brutal assessment of both leaders. But who won the week?