Community & Business
22 April, 2024
NAB wins, Hamilton loses battle to keep local branch open
Despite confronting NAB Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andrew Irvine, with a letter stipulating the grave concern from residents of how the branch closure will impact the Pittsworth community, Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, has been unable to prevent the bank from permanently closing its doors last Thursday.
Mr Hamilton wrote a letter to the CEO on April 9, presenting a petition, in which he received 758 signatures from local residents, calling to keep the branch open.
Mr Hamilton said residents and small businesses in Pittsworth, who had joined the fight to keep the NAB branch open, were being ignored by the big bank.
“Despite the very clear outpouring of community support it seems as though our request has fallen on deaf ears,” he said.
“I don’t think we are asking a lot to keep a bank branch open, particularly when so many customers and small businesses have demonstrated their clear support and reliance on the branch.”
The letter also explained the impact the closure will have on the livelihood of local businesses, families, and agricultural enterprises that rely heavily on the essential services provided by in-branch.
Mr Hamilton said that for most people, travelling to the nearest branch in Toowoomba, is not suitable, particularly for business owners who must close their stores to do their banking, and elderly residents who continue to raise concerns surrounding the safety of the Clifford Gardens branch.
As of yet, Mr Hamilton has not received a reply to his letter, but either way, it has not prevented the branch’s closure today.
Mr Hamilton said NAB had made a number of concessions, including ensuring the ATM remained but he was still concerned about the impact of the closure on local residents and businesses.
“Older residents are concerned about how they will go about their banking needs, particularly with increasing fraud, scams and crime.
“Despite NAB’s cash earnings up 8.8 per cent to $7.731 billion – they continue to be in a race with other banks of who can close the most branches,” Mr Hamilton said.
Despite having no intention of closing the Millmerran branch, NAB’s track record does not project a positive outlook.
The closure notices are listed on nab.com.au along with a fact sheet and reason for closure, and Millmerran is not yet listed.
NAB said it has no plans to change how it currently serves Millmerran customers.
