Media Opportunity
Filming and interview access will be available at:
10:00am sharp | Thursday, October 16
The Daintree Room, The Ville, Townsville
Media are asked to arrive by 9:45am
TODAY IN TOWNSVILLE - Regional banks unite in Townsville to support country branches
Event Overview
TODAY, the latest Regional HQ Forum will be hosted by Queensland Country Bank CEO, Aaron Newman in Townsville, where members of the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA) will gather to discuss the best way forward to keep regional bank branches open.
Formed earlier this year, the RBIA brings together leaders from regional banks with a shared goal - to advocate for keeping face-to-face banking services available in regional towns.
The Alliance is also calling for essential branch services, such as cash handling and fraud prevention advice, to be supported by a Community Service Obligation (CSO) across the wider Australian banking sector, ensuring the cost of providing these critical services is shared more fairly.
Regional HQ Forum Agenda
Regional HQ formed in 2023 and is a collective of the remaining 20 customer-owned banks that have their head offices located in regional Australia. An early supporter of the RBIA, the Regional HQ Forum brings together decision-makers from regional, customer-owned banks whose head offices remain based in regional Australia. The agenda will focus on:
- Identifying shared challenges and opportunities to sustain regional banking;
- Strengthening collaboration among member banks; and
- Encouraging suppliers and industry partners to engage directly with regional customers to better understand local needs and opportunities for growth.
Why This Matters - Especially for the North
Despite multiple inquiries and taskforces, major banks have closed more than 90 regional branches since February 2022, including more than a dozen this year. In contrast, RBIA members continue to invest in new branches, without any government or industry support.
Townsville is not only a major regional centre in Northern Australia, but also home to the head office of Queensland Country Bank, one of the founding members of the RBIA. As a major employer in the region with over 400 staff and deep community roots, Queensland Country Bank plays a vital role in the local economy and financial wellbeing of residents.
The bank’s continued investment in face-to-face services stands in stark contrast to the widespread branch closures by major banks. Its presence in Townsville reinforces the city’s role as a core regional hub for customer-owned banking and community-focused financial services.
RBIA’s advocacy for a Community Service Obligation (CSO) is especially relevant to regional Queensland communities, where access to essential banking services supports not only individuals and families, but also small businesses, retirees, and community organisations.
More than 24 representatives from RBIA Alliance member banks across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory, and Tasmania will attend the Forum in Townsville.
Media Opportunity
Filming and interview access will be available at:
10:00am sharp | Thursday, October 16
The Daintree Room, The Ville, Townsville
Media are asked to arrive by 9:45am
Available Talent
- Aaron Newman – CEO, Queensland Country Bank
- Stephen Capello – CEO, Hume Bank
About Queensland Country Bank
Queensland Country Bank is a member-owned bank headquartered in Townsville, with a proud history of serving regional Queenslanders since 1971. Originally founded as the Isa Mine Employees’ Credit Union, the bank has grown from its Mount Isa roots to become a trusted financial institution supporting communities across the state. As a major employer in Townsville, Queensland Country Bank plays a vital role in the local economy, with more than 400 staff and a strong commitment to face-to-face banking services. Its head office remains in Townsville, reinforcing the city’s status as a core regional hub for customer-owned banking. The bank offers a full range of banking and insurance services through its branch network and Queensland-based contact centre, ensuring accessibility for all Queenslanders. It is also known for its Good for Good Community Grants program, which has invested over $3 million into local initiatives since 2005, supporting health, education, sport, environment, and cultural projects across the state. Queensland Country Bank is a proud founding member of the RBIA and continues to advocate for fair access to essential banking services in regional communities.
More info: queenslandcountry.bank
About Regional HQ Forum
Regional HQ is a collective of the remaining 20 customer-owned banks that have their head offices located in regional Australia. The Forum began as an annual meeting of CEOs and Board Members from mutual banks in Central West NSW and now customer-owned banks across regional Australia. It aims to:
- Sustain customer-owned banking in regional Australia
- Explore synergies and challenges
- Encourage suppliers to engage with regional customers
Previous Hosts:
- Oct 2023 – Macquarie Credit Union, Dubbo NSW
- Apr 2024 – Bank of Us, Launceston TAS
- Nov 2024 – Regional Australia Bank, Armidale NSW
- Mar 2025 – Central Murray Bank & Bank WAW, Wodonga VIC
About Regional Banking Investment Alliance
The RBIA is made up of 23 regional banks, including: Regional Australia Bank, The Capricornian, Traditional Credit Union, Broken Hill Bank, Northern Inland Credit Union, Cairns Bank, The Mutual Bank, Central Murray Bank, Bank Orange, Summerland Bank, Horizon Bank, Geelong Bank, Family First, Darling Downs Bank, Bank WAW, SWSbank, Hume Bank, Goulburn Murray Credit Union, Central West Credit Union, Queensland Country Bank, Coastline Bank, G&C Mutual Bank and Unity Bank. Early supporters include the Country Women’s Association of NSW, National Seniors Australia, Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association and Regional HQ.
More info: https://rbialliance.com.au/
Contact details:
Kath Rose – 0416 291 493 | [email protected]
