NAB: Multiple branch closures in Wellington, Gilgandra, Warren, Lake Cargelligo

Desperate residents are pleading to save their local bank branches from the axe, as a major retailer swings the axe in parts of the state’s west. Read what banks are set to close.  

Wellington NAB branch. Google Maps.

Desperate residents are pleading to save their communities from bank closures in parts of the state’s west.

Various National Australia Bank branches have announced their closures later this year, including Wellington, Gilgandra, Warren and Lake Cargelligo.

Family-run business Keirle’s Pharmacy have experienced a bank closure before, now they’ll experience a second one with NAB closing its doors.

Going to the bank twice a day for the business, Matthew Keirle shared his devastation for the community upon hearing his bank’s closure in Wellington.

“When we were in this position with Westpac before, it was an absolute nightmare changing everything,” Mr Keirle said.

Keirle's Pharmacy's Matthew Keirle

Mr Keirle understands that he can go to Australia Post to collect change and other necessities but is worried small businesses will be driven out of town due to not having a physical bank.

“We can’t go all the way to Dubbo to do our banking,” he said.

“It’s going to take local business out of the town because people will go up there to do their banking and do their shopping there as well.

“I’d like to have some sort of protest… I want to talk to the local members and try to get them on board because I know it’s not just Wellington.

“I think it’s piss poor. This company is looking out for stakeholders and couldn’t give a toss about us out here in the bush – It’s really disappointing.”

Parkes electorate federal member Mark Coulton shared his “disappointment” with major banks over the decision to further disadvantage regional communities.

Member for the Parkes electorate Mark Coulton.

“The loss of an on-going, direct banking relationship can be frustrating and lead to unsatisfactory or untimely responses from the bank to customers, which may result in lost opportunities for farmers and small businesses,” Mr Coulton said.

“Moreover, the importance of banking services and access to cash for regional communities during emergencies cannot be understated.

“This decision will severely disadvantage the vulnerable people who require access to in-person banking because they lack digital literacy or have no means to access the appropriate technologies required for online or telephone banking.

“This may lead to more people being susceptible to online banking scams, and I am equally concerned about the personal safety of people who may feel forced to take out and carry around larger amounts of cash.”

NAB retail customer executive for greater regional NSW Allison Baker said regional branches have seen a “steady decline in over-the-counter transactions and an increase in the usage of online banking”.

The Dubbo News understands regional branches averaged five cash deposits per day in 2022 - a decline of 30 per cent over the past two years.

““The decision to close a branch is never easy but the reality is that the number of customers coming into branches is dropping and more than 93 percent of transactions across Australia are taking place online,” Ms Baker said.