The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has reminded customers that 22 September will be a “bank close day” for mourning her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Customers of sundry bank and financial institutions are advised to expect closed branches and delays to some payments — as is the case with other public holidays — due to the “one-off” national day of mourning for the Queen.
Banks will still be contactable, albeit in a reduced capacity, and customers are encouraged to contact their individual bank for further information, the ABA explained.
In a recent press statement, the ABA acknowledged the remarkable contribution of her majesty, the Queen, and her life dedicated to service and duty.
On 11 September the Australian government announced the national day of mourning and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to premiers and chief ministers asking they declare this day a national public holiday to “…commemorate Her Majesty’s remarkable life and dedication to service.”
Each state and territory has declared the day a public holiday under their respective legislation, the government confirmed.
A national memorial service will be held at 11:00am in the Great Hall of Australian Parliament House, in Canberra, and will begin with one-minute silence. It will be broadcast live across the nation, the federal government highlighted.
A time to pause and reflect
At the time of announcing the national day of mourning, Mr Albanese stated: “Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, led a remarkable life dedicated to service and duty.
“Queen Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch most Australians have known and her faithful service will be remembered for centuries to come.
“Her Majesty was the only reigning monarch to ever to visit Australia and it was clear from her first trip that she had a special place in our hearts.
“Over the coming weeks, Australia will continue to commemorate our late Queen.
“I encourage all Australians, wherever you may be, to take time to pause and reflect on Her Majesty’s extraordinary life of service.”
She was a bank customer
Speaking on Melbourne 3AW Mornings, Neil Mitchell’s radio show, on the day the Queen’s passing had officially been announced (AEST), NAB chief executive Ross McEwan fondly recalled her as “a bank customer”.
“She was a customer of the Royal Bank of Scotland through Coutts, the bank to the Queen and also to the palace,” Mr McEwan stated.
“We also looked after the Queen mother prior to her as well, so a long history.
“I think she was a sensational leader of people. She had a dignity about her and a friendliness that everybody saw; they warmed to her.
“It just feels like we’ve lost our most loved grandmother we’ve ever had, and I think people are feeling it.
“I connected with friends of mine this morning in the UK. There was a genuine sorrow, respect but sorrow, for what a magnificent leader she’d been for 70 years.”
“…it’s a sad day, but a great time to reflect on an amazing reign of a magnificent woman.”
[Related: https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/43411-a-loss-we-all-feel-tributes-pour-in-for-queen-elizabeth ]
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