General News
12 August, 2025
Keep regional branches open, says Queensland Country Bank
QCB has joined the Regional Banking Investment Alliance.
Queensland Country Bank has joined 24 other regional banks and community groups to advocate to keep face-to-face branches open in regional towns.
The organisations have formed the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA) and want essential bank branch services such as cash handling and fraud advice to be supported by a community service obligation on the wider Australian banking sector to share the cost burden.
Despite inquiries and taskforces, big banks have closed more than 90 regional branches since 2022, including more than a dozen this year, while RBIA members continue to open branches with no support.
Alliance spokesperson and CEO of Queensland Country Bank, Aaron Newman said that regional bank branches often incur additional costs due to “pass through banking”, where customers use regional bank branches for costly services like cash handling and then transfer their funds to big banks who enjoy the profits.
“We help these communities with fraud and scam advice, cash withdrawals and deposits, cash floats, and provide local jobs,” Mr Newman said.
“We are passionate about servicing our local communities and keeping the profits local, but it’s really tough when we are competing against giants, who are not doing the same.
“Around 30% of transactions in our banks lead to pass through banking, seriously disadvantaging our ability to compete and expand.
“We just want the banks who are neglecting the regions to pay their fair share in keeping face-to-face services alive.”
A delegation of Alliance members recently travelled to Canberra to discuss a cost-sharing model where big banks whose regional branch investment falls short, continue to support regional communities.
With the finalisation of a cash mandate on the government’s agenda, a new consultation on cash distribution, and continuation of branch closures from larger banks, the Alliance hopes to continue work with the government on creating an environment where face-to-face branch services and fair cash distribution is available, no matter where you live in Australia.