The National Australia Bank has ordered branch staff to refuse to accept credit card payments over the counter in what a union has panned as a “new low” for consumers.
The Finance Sector Unionxjmtzyw says that from February 21, branch customers will be told to go to a post office to settle their credit card bills if they want to pay over-the-counter.
Alternatively they’d be “educated” on how to pay it online via the bank’s web platforms.
The union’s national secretary Julia Angrisano said a policy to ban over-the-counter credit card payments is designed to reduce foot traffic to NAB branches, reduce bank worker jobs and ultimately shut more branches.
“This is an outrageous bid by NAB to block its customers from using branches for a common transaction many older people make,” she said.
Ms Angrisano said there is no reason for the bank to target credit card payments other than to force customers onto digital banking.
“Telling NAB’s customers they can’t pay credit card bills at the branch represents a new low for consumers and will disadvantage older people who do not have the same level of digital literacy as younger customers,” she added.
“Imagine the backlash our members will receive from customers when they are told bills for the credit cards NAB issues can no longer be paid at the branch.
“This is a very poor decision by the NAB’s management that will generate anger among customers and will clearly cost jobs and lead to the closure of more branches.
“NAB’s standard reason for branch closures is the changing habits of customers but this clearly shows they are forcing the change and it is not the choice of the consumer.”
The NAB has been contacted for comment.
