'Shameful year': NAB sacks 300 staff over 'appalling behaviour'

NAB says it has sacked around 300 bankers during the banking royal commission. Photo / 123RF

National Australia Bank's chief executive has blasted "appalling behaviour" uncovered at the banking royal commission.

Andrew Thorburn described the year as "difficult and shameful" as he regretted the fact customers have lost trust in the NAB due to the misbehaviour of a few bankers, according to AAP.

"That's the most terrible thing," Thorburn told a parliamentary committee in Canberra today.

"It's been a difficult and shameful year."

The committee heard 245,000 NAB customers have been overcharged fees.

"The royal commission has exposed issues in our bank and the industry that have been confronting and upsetting," Thorburn told the committee.

"I feel this deeply, having worked in our profession for more than three decades. In so many cases, we have not had the care and respect for our customers that we should have. And for that, I am sorry."

More than 1200 NAB staff have been questioned about adherence to the code, with 300 bankers having been sacked for breaching rules, and another 700 facing a reduction in pay or other consequences.