How can we stop banks bailing on regional Australia?

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23d ago 15:07

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There's a small town on the west coast of Tasmania locked in a David and Goliath battle to save their last bank.

If the bank closes Queenstown locals will have to travel a 300 kilometre round trip to do their banking in person.

Since 2017, 36 per cent of brick and mortar bank branches have closed around regional Australia, with many banks citing declining customers as a reason to shut up shop.

So how can we stop the flow of banks bailing on the regions?

Guests:

Simon Lyons, chief executive of Traditional Credit Union, an Indigenous-owned community centred bank and member of the Regional Banking Investment Alliance
Janet Lay has lived in Queenstown on Tasmania's west coast and has started a petition to keep their local bank in town.

Statement from Bendigo Bank spokesperson:

Following a review of evolving customer preferences, a reduction in business activity and an increase in costs, the Bank has made the difficult decision to close the Queenstown branch located at 33 Orr St, Queenstown. The Bank apologises for any inconvenience.

Bendigo Bank is proud of its regional heritage and operates Australia’s second largest regional branch network. To preserve our ability to continue delivering for our customers and communities, we must ensure our branches are adequately supported and resourced.

From Tuesday, 1 July 2025,  operating hours will reduce to Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm before our Queenstown branch and ATM close permanently from Friday, 26 September 2025. The Bank is in the process of communicating these changes to customers. For more information, click here.

Statement from Bendigo Bank spokesperson:

A range of banking options are available to customers impacted by this change. There is no action for customers to take as there will be no impact to how their accounts operate. Customers can continue to transact as normal at any Bendigo Bank branch, ATM or at any time via internet banking, our mobile app or by phone on 1300 236 344. 

Customers can also choose to bank in-person using Bank@Post at any of the 3,500 Australia Post outlets across Australia. The nearest Australia Post LPO where customers can transact fee free for at least the next 12 months is located next door to the branch at 32 Orr Street, Queenstown.

Bendigo Bank maintains more branches per customer than any other Australian Bank. The Bank is committed to its branch network and the personalised interactions that occur in branch every day.

For more branch closure information, click here.

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