It aims to foster gender inclusivity for its customers
National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced its latest efforts to foster safe spaces and inclusivity in its business transactions for its customers.
Through an initiative by its inclusion and diversity team as well as the NAB Pride Network, a support and advocacy group for its LGBTI+ employees, NAB has revealed a new trans and gender-diverse banking online hub.
The online hub allows customers to affirm their identities and provides gender-inclusive application forms so that they can be properly addressed during their transactions with the bank.
NAB Data Analyst and NAB Pride Leader Kim Lee (pictured) spoke about how being misgendered may be an experience people who are trans or gender-diverse go through on a daily basis, which may be distressing for them.
“As a trans person, you have likely experienced being misgendered while getting a coffee, boarding a plane, or even visiting your local doctor. After enduring a day filled with discrimination, coming home to find your credit card statement addressed with a title or name that doesn’t align with your identity can be deeply disheartening,” said Lee.
Lee said that because of how such an experience may be a recurring issue for many individuals, he was adamant on making a change in order to give NAB’s customers a sense of belongingness, respect, and dignity.
“Seeing my correct name or title when I open my banking app creates a safe space for me and removes the stress and anxiety caused when I’m misgendered,” said Lee.
“For some people, there can be a significant amount of trauma associated with a previous name or using the wrong pronouns, and if we can alleviate this in any aspect of their lives, we should strive to do so,” he added.
Julie Patterson, co-chair of NAB Pride and NAB executive, asserted that customers deserved to have a banking experience that is both safe and supportive.
“We want all customers to have a positive banking experience and this new hub does that by making it simple for new and existing customers to update their details to reflect their affirmed identity,” said Patterson.
“It is a small but significant step in making sure banking is inclusive for all customers.”
Customers will be able to affirm their gender online either through NAB messaging on their phones or desktop.
