Obligation on banks to fund face-to-face banking in regional Australia
Obligation on banks to fund face-to-face banking in regional Australia
The issue
Face-to-face services are part of a bank’s social licence to operate in Australia.
Regional branches provide employment and infrastructure as well as community engagement and sponsorships. Branches are places of action - they provide security, privacy, prevent scams, solve problems and provide cash services.
Over the last ten years, there has been a 40% reduction in bank branches in regional Australia. A proper incentive-based scheme is needed to ensure branches remain open and help their local communities thrive.
As a consequence of community backlash, Federal Parliament has conducted two inquiries. Both inquiries concluded that branches were essential and that solutions were needed to keep bank branches in regional areas.
The moratorium on the big 4 banks is set to expire in 2027. This moratorium does not apply to opening hours, nor does it apply to other banks.
An ATM is not a replacement for a bank branch, neither is a post office.
A proper incentive-based scheme is needed to ensure branches remain open and help their local communities thrive.
The Regional Banking Investment Alliance has developed a cost-sharing model that helps level the playing field and redistributes bank funds to where they need to go, helping fund regional staff working face-to-face in their towns.
The model would be used to provide a direct contribution to any bank which maintains or expands regional bank branches. It would ensure ongoing support to preserve the financial viability of existing branches and incentivise banks to invest in new ones.
The model is 100% funded by banks, no taxpayer funds needed.
Support this petition to show the government and banks that you believe that banks who profit from regional Australia and don’t provide face-to-face services in regional areas have an obligation to help support those that do.
Show that you support a levy on banks to assist in keeping jobs local and face-to-face services alive right across our great nation.
For more information about the Regional Banking Investment Alliance and the cost-sharing model visit: https://rbialliance.com.au/
113
The issue
Face-to-face services are part of a bank’s social licence to operate in Australia.
Regional branches provide employment and infrastructure as well as community engagement and sponsorships. Branches are places of action - they provide security, privacy, prevent scams, solve problems and provide cash services.
Over the last ten years, there has been a 40% reduction in bank branches in regional Australia. A proper incentive-based scheme is needed to ensure branches remain open and help their local communities thrive.
As a consequence of community backlash, Federal Parliament has conducted two inquiries. Both inquiries concluded that branches were essential and that solutions were needed to keep bank branches in regional areas.
The moratorium on the big 4 banks is set to expire in 2027. This moratorium does not apply to opening hours, nor does it apply to other banks.
An ATM is not a replacement for a bank branch, neither is a post office.
A proper incentive-based scheme is needed to ensure branches remain open and help their local communities thrive.
The Regional Banking Investment Alliance has developed a cost-sharing model that helps level the playing field and redistributes bank funds to where they need to go, helping fund regional staff working face-to-face in their towns.
The model would be used to provide a direct contribution to any bank which maintains or expands regional bank branches. It would ensure ongoing support to preserve the financial viability of existing branches and incentivise banks to invest in new ones.
The model is 100% funded by banks, no taxpayer funds needed.
Support this petition to show the government and banks that you believe that banks who profit from regional Australia and don’t provide face-to-face services in regional areas have an obligation to help support those that do.
Show that you support a levy on banks to assist in keeping jobs local and face-to-face services alive right across our great nation.
For more information about the Regional Banking Investment Alliance and the cost-sharing model visit: https://rbialliance.com.au/
113
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Petition created on 8 April 2026