Nauru is preparing to transition its government banking services from the Bendigo Bank Agency to a new service provider—the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)—with the public and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) urged to act promptly to facilitate a smooth changeover.
The Nauru Government has called on all residents, businesses, and SOEs to establish new CBA accounts as early as possible to avoid disruption to government payments, including salaries, benefits, and royalties. The switch marks the end of a decade-long arrangement with Bendigo Bank, which is exiting due to a shift in business focus away from agency models both in Australia and internationally.
Expressions of interest for new CBA accounts opened on 17 March, with applicants submitting online forms directly to the bank. Once an e-form is submitted, applicants receive instructions to visit the Civic Centre Agency in person with valid identification to finalise their account setup.
The Nauru Government has set a clear transition timeline, urging all CBA account registrations to be completed during April to avoid delays, with accounts to be allocated in May 2025 and debit cards and e-banking services going live in June; existing Bendigo Bank accounts will be closed as CBA services commence, and employees are advised to update their banking details with their HR departments to ensure uninterrupted payroll and payment processing.
The move to CBA is a strategic effort to maintain continuity in financial services and improve banking accessibility for Nauruans. The government has asked for public cooperation to ensure that the switch is efficient and avoids disruptions to essential financial transactions.
This change reflects broader efforts in the Pacific region to strengthen financial infrastructure and diversify service providers, particularly in small island economies with limited banking options. As the Pacific’s financial landscape evolves, transitions such as Nauru’s serve as important case studies in managing institutional banking change and sustaining service continuity.
