NAB removes Mount Martha ATM from outside Ritchies IGA
A Mornington Peninsula community is reeling after NAB removed the town’s only ATM without warning.
South East
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A thriving Mornington Peninsula town has lost its only bank ATM, leaving at least one elderly customer in tears and a Ritchies director “flabbergasted”.
Early morning walkers on Thursday stumbled across the NAB ATM being removed from its long time home outside the Mount Martha Ritchies IGA.
“It’s outrageous,” one woman said.
“There was an elderly woman in tears nearby because she couldn’t access any cash, and doesn’t drive,” the resident, who asked not to be named, told the Herald Sun.
Ritchies director Mal Cameron said he was “flabbergasted” when told by NAB the big bank was leaving the site.
“The bank has had an ATM there in the village for a very long time,” Mr Cameron said.
“The only explanation given was that the lease would not renewed.
“It’s a very popular and well used ATM. There are a lot of older people living in the area who rely on it for cash.
“I just don’t understand it.”
NAB Retail Customer Executive Victoria Lisa Goodwin said the number of people using the Mount Marth Village ATM had declined by nearly 60 per cent over the past five years.
“Most customers use the nearby Bentons Square Shopping Centre ATM, or the two Smart ATMs at the NAB Mornington Branch,” she said.
“While we understand some of the community will be disappointed, we have decided to remove the Mount Martha ATM following the changing banking preferences of our customers including an increase in online banking.”
After being told NAB was leaving the village, the independent supermarket chain swung into action to find a replacement ATM provider for the community.
“We have been able to replace it, but not with a bank branded ATM,” Mr Cameron said.
A Next Payment ATM will be installed at the same location in September.
Some customers will be charged from $2.50 per transaction.
Mr Cameron said customers were also able make a cash withdrawal at Ritchies.
Next Payments is a privately owned company, with 47 per cent owned by Macquarie Capital as a passive investment, 43 per cent by founder and Executive Chairman, Tim Wildash, and 10 per cent by private investors in Australia and New Zealand.
The company also produces Tab enabled ATMs to casinos and gaming venues that allow punters to deposit and withdraw cash from betting accounts.
Bendigo Bank has a branch at Mount Martha Village, but no ATM.
There are seven NAB ATMs on the Mornington Peninsula including in Mornington, Mornington East, Rosebud and Hastings.
Customers could also withdraw and deposit their money at Australia Post Bank@Post outlets on the peninsula, of which there are more than 20 locations.
There have been no other ATM removals on the Mornington Peninsula in FY24.