Last Friday, Nauru’s only banking service, Bendigo Bank officially concluded its operations in the island nation, making way for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to begin services today.
Bendigo began winding down its services last week, with cash transactions at the bank’s Ewa and Aiwo bank branches.
The new Commonwealth Bank of Australia will launch a soft opening today, signalling its readiness to serve both the Government and people of Nauru.
Cash transactions will be accepted at both Aiwo and Ewa agencies, marking a new chapter in local banking services.
CBA has already begun issuing debit cards to customers, which can be activated via the CommBank app or NetBank.
Electronic transfers are also available through these platforms.
Government staff salaries will be deposited into CBA accounts once employees register their account details with their respective finance officers.
Although Bendigo Bank will no longer offer cash services at the counter, customer accounts will remain active.
Bendigo debit cards will continue to function for in-store purchases and ATM withdrawals.
For the time being, account-related inquiries can still be made at the Aiwo agency. Customers whose accounts need to be closed will be notified via email.
The transition follows a joint statement issued in November 2024 by the Government of Nauru and Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, announcing the bank’s intention to end its agency agreement.
With CBA secured as the new provider, the government has ensured a smooth transition, safeguarding customer accounts throughout the process. To commemorate CommBank’s official entry into Nauru, a formal opening celebration will be held today in Nauru.
