13 million kilometres: NAB bankers hit the road for regional Australia

“You can’t build the relationships we need from behind the desk. You’ve got to be out there with them. It’s the part of the job I love the most.

“I’m out on the farm, sitting on a header during harvest or jumping in the ute for a crop tour to understand what’s really going on.” 

One of her customers is Jarrod Munro from Munro Bros Farms in Victoria's Mallee region, a family-operated cropping business growing wheat, barley and hay.

“Having Steph come out to the farm and sit down with us is huge,” Mr Munro said. 

“We don’t always have the luxury of stepping away for a day to get into town, so when she’s here, we can just run her through things as they actually are.” 

“Timing is everything on a farm. For her to drop in, talk it through and then take it away and sort it, that’s priceless for us.”

Across Australia, NAB bankers are having similar conversations with customers in homes, businesses, farms and local communities.

“Every kilometre is time spent listening, problem-solving and helping customers plan what’s next,” Ms Thompson said.

Supporting customers in regional and remote Australia often means meeting them where they are. While that travel remains an important part of banking, NAB is working to reduce the associated emissions through a fleet that is 77% hybrid, trials of electric and other lower-emissions vehicles, and the offsetting of residual operational emissions.