One of Australia's big four banks changes its name - and it's sure to infuriate anti-vaxxers National Australia Bank announced it would change its name to JAB from Friday Name change will last until end of year to promote vaccine rollout in country Marketing strategy has divided Australians with some criticising the move By Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia Published: 01:42 BST, 10 September 2021 | Updated: 01:46 BST, 10 September 2021 Viewcomments One of Australia's big four banks has thrown its support behind the vaccine rollout and temporarily changed its name. The National Australia Bank will officially be rebranded as JAB from Friday. The name change will remain in place until December as the bank attempts to encourage more Australians to get the jab. Currently, 40.4 per cent of the country has been fully vaccinated. NAB has been a public supporter of the vaccine rollout. Its CEO Ross McEwan has backed calls for a vaccine passport and thrown his support behind the federal government's campaign to reopen the country at 80 per cent vaccination rate. The bank's latest marketing strategy has drawn mixed reactions with social media users split by the temporary rebrand. The National Australia Bank will officially be rebranded as JAB from Friday and last until December The name change will remain in place until the end of the year as the bank attempts to encourage more Australians to get the jab 'Glad I'm leaving the NAB,' one person wrote. 'How stupid can you get renaming your logo to JAB.' Another person commented: 'Not sure if a name change might cause people to bank change. Is the bank going to far into politics by doing this publicity stunt?' Another social media user suggested NAB stick to banking and not meddle in vaccination discussions. 'I find the narrative of this article a little disturbing,' one person wrote. 'Why is a bank weighing in on a supposed health discussion?' 'You couldn't make this s*** up,' another person wrote. Other social media users were quick to praise the initiative. 'Loving the initiative of NAB which has temporarily changed its name to JAB,' one person commented. Another person wrote: 'Get the jab. It saves lives and will help the livelihoods of small business owners.' Speaking at the House Standing Committee on Economics, Mr McEwan threw his support behind the federal government's plan to reopen the country at 80 per cent vaccination rates. The bank's latest marketing strategy has drawn mixed reactions with social media users split by the temporary rebrand 'The National Cabinet plan gives us hope. Vaccine take-up continues to rise and the targets for 70 and 80 per cent are in sight,' he said on Thursday. 'Current forecasts show 80 per cent of eligible Australians will have had their first jab within three weeks, and their second jab by mid-November. 'This is our light at the end of the tunnel. Our communities need hope. Our businesses need clarity, to plan for the future.' Mr McEwan said he supported a vaccine passport as it would give Australians more freedoms. 'European countries have provided this by implementing a vaccine pass, which gives people freedom to attend restaurants, sporting events, major concerts and domestic travel,' he said. 'Australia needs its own national vaccine pass, providing similar freedoms, ready to launch when we reach 80 per cent.' NAB CEO Ross McEwan has backed calls for a vaccine passport and thrown his support behind the federal government's campaign to reopen the country at 80 per cent vaccination rate Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility