Meet your local banker

Introduce yourself and your role at NAB Carlton

My name is Scott Balderson, and I’m the branch manager for NAB Carlton. In my role, I lead a dedicated team of customer advisors to provide exceptional support and service to our customers.

I also work closely with home lending specialists, business bankers, and other teams within NAB to build strong, lasting relationships with our customers and the local community. Together we strive to help our customers achieve their financial goals and make a positive impact in the area we serve. 

How long have you been with NAB, and what has your journey with the bank been like?

I have been with NAB for four years. I started my journey as a leader in NAB Assist, where I supported customers impacted by the challenges of the pandemic.

Three years ago, I moved into another leadership role in our retail branches, supporting our amazing customer advisors, which has been a rewarding experience. 

NAB’s dedication to supporting its customers and investing in the growth and success of its people makes it a fantastic organisation to be a part of. 

What key areas of expertise and responsibilities are central to your role at NAB Carlton?

My role at NAB is centred around keeping our customers at the heart of everything we do. We focus on helping them achieve their financial goals, supporting them through significant life events, and ensuring they feel confident in their banking journey. 

Building strong relationships with home lending specialists and business bankers allows to deliver tailored solutions that meet our customers’ unique needs, especially for local businesses that are vital to our community. 

A key part of my role is protecting our customers when things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s helping them safeguard their money or taking proactive steps to prevent fraud and scams, our priority is ensuring they feel secure and supported every step of the way. 

What are the key benefits of having a local bank in the Carlton community? 

By having a local bank in the Carlton community, we can build lasting relationships with our customers.

We focus on creating relationships with the community, so whether someone’s managing everyday banking or saving for a big goal, they know they have our support. 

We’re proud to support local businesses in Carlton and nearby suburbs with flexible banking and tailored solutions like merchant services, and a dedicated business banker.

We also offer convenient Zoom appointments for our home lending customers, making it easier for them to access the support they need.  

We also love supporting the community in other ways, like partnering with local universities to support student scholarships or helping startups get off the ground.

What types of customers or clients do you primarily support and work with?

We support a diverse range of customers, from small and large businesses in Carlton, the surrounding suburbs, and the Melbourne CBD, to individuals at all stages of life. This includes professionals, retirees, international and local students, and younger people starting their baking journey or looking to purchase their first home. 

Is there something about your local bank or bankers that might surprise people or is less commonly known?

Many of our customer advisors in the Melbourne CBD speak multiple languages, and we also offer an interpreter service to ensure we meet the diverse needs of all our customers. 

Do you have a particular aspect of your job that you find especially rewarding? 

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the relationships we build with our regular customers.

It’s especially fulfilling to support our older customers, helping them navigate digital banking and equipping them with the tools to protect themselves from scams and fraud. 

Do you enjoy being based in Carlton and contributing to the local community there?

Sure do! We have such a vibrant, diverse community and whenever I have colleagues visiting my branch for the day the first question they ask is “where are we going for lunch?”

We are spoilt for choice, and we love supporting our local restaurants, bars and cafés.

If you need support with your banking needs, reach out to NAB Carlton branch manager Scott Balderson on 0452 670 483 or NAB home lending executive Robbie Larkin on 0436 613 996. •