When Redundancy Knocks: Why ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank’s Cuts Could Be an Opportunity in Disguise

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In the space of just two days, three of Australia’s biggest banks have made headlines for the same reason: job cuts.

ANZ announced plans to cut 3,500 jobs by September 2026. Now NAB has followed, confirming around 410 roles will go and a further 145 from Bendigo Bank. Together, that’s nearly 4,000 careers disrupted, lives upended, and futures made uncertain.

Redundancy is more than a headline, it’s a deeply personal experience. Careers, identities, and families are affected. But here’s the truth that doesn’t get said often enough: redundancy can also be a catalyst. A moment to reset, to reframe, and to ask the powerful question... what’s next for me?

The Opportunity for Individuals

Redundancy doesn’t erase your skills, experience, or value. In fact, it highlights them. You’ve built resilience in complex environments, navigated change, and contributed to two of Australia’s largest banks. Those skills are transferable, and in demand.

At Abilitise, we work with professionals facing crossroads like this every day. Through leadership, career, and transition coaching, we help individuals:

• Gain clarity on their next step, whether inside financial services or beyond.

• Rebuild confidence after a sudden shift.

• Translate corporate experience into new industries, entrepreneurial ventures, or leadership roles.

• Thrive - not just survive - through change.

Transition coaching is about more than finding a new role. It’s about navigating the emotional, professional, and practical challenges of change. It benefits employees by giving them structure, support, and clarity during uncertain times. And it benefits organisations like ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank by protecting reputation, preserving morale, and ensuring those leaving do so as advocates, not critics.

The Opportunity for ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: ANZ and NAB’s redundancy processes have already drawn criticism, with trust shaken.

But here’s the upside: these banks now have an opportunity to demonstrate a benchmark of how large organisations can treat people in transition. By investing in meaningful career support - leadership and transition coaching, resilience training, and tailored career pathways - they could show that they truly value their people, even as they exit. In doing so, they also rebuild the confidence of employees who remain, helping to ease the uncertainty that often follows announcements of large-scale job cuts.

Handled thoughtfully, ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank can prove that even in moments of contraction, organisations can act with care, dignity, and vision.

Where Abilitise Can Help

Our coaching, consulting and training practice is built on four values: Care, Thrive, Enjoy, and Be True to Self. These aren’t words on a wall; they’re the way we support individuals and organisations to navigate change authentically and effectively.

Through leadership coaching, resilience programs, and tailored transition coaching, we help employees unlock their next step and empower organisations to manage change responsibly. We’ve worked with leaders and teams across industries and continents, helping them transform adversity into growth. And we know that for those impacted by ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank’s restructures, this moment can be the beginning of something powerful.

Final Thought

Redundancy is rarely chosen, but it can be used. The question for ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank’s people now is not “Why me?” but “What next?”

And the question for ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank is not “How do we minimise backlash?” but “How do we maximise trust?”

Handled well, both answers can lead to futures that are stronger, more sustainable, and more human.

👉 If you’ve been impacted by redundancy - or you’re a leader navigating change - reach out to us at Abilitise. Let’s turn uncertainty into opportunity.

www.abilitise.com.au | info@abilitise.com.au | 1300 TO ENABLE