Hours to be cut at NAB Ouyen branch

NAB will reduce customer hours at its Ouyen branch, with staff given more time to conduct digital and phone banking support.

The bank announced over-the-counter hours at 114 smaller regional branches, including the Pickering Street branch, would be limited to 9.30am to 12.30pm from August 17.

A statement said the “new model” would allow for hundreds of jobs to be maintained as more customers moved online.

NAB Group executive personal banking Rachel Slade said outside the new opening hours, bankers would support customers by phone and online chat, as well as application processing.

“It is clear the face of banking is changing, especially in the way customers want to interact with us,” Ms Slade said.

“Our branches continue to be a really important part of many local communities, especially for local businesses.

“On average a quarter of transactions take place between 9.30am and 10.30am in our regional branches.”

Ms Slade said employees would learn new skills and have the opportunity to work remotely.

“We think this move will strike that balance, keeping the doors open at 114 branches around the country, providing the opportunity for around 300 bankers to learn skills while we continue to serve our customers well,” she said.

The statement said more than 90 per cent of NAB’s customer interactions were now taking place online or by phone.

ANZ Bank closed its Ouyen branch in 2018.