Media releases

Westpac brings banking services to more regional locations

29 April 2026

Westpac is expanding its services in more regional locations, today announcing it will open a new regional service centre in Yass, NSW.

The Yass service centre will be the fourth regional service centre opened by Westpac following the successful completion of new centres in Moree (NSW), Leongatha (VIC) and Smithton (TAS). The service centres provide face-to-face support for retail and business customers, along with digital banking assistance and access to cash.

“There is enormous potential in regional Australia, from agriculture to advanced manufacturing,” said Carolyn McCann, Westpac Chief Executive, Consumer.

“When we increase our services in regional towns, communities respond. We’ve seen that clearly in places like Moree, Smithton and Leongatha.”

Westpac’s agricultural loan book grew by more than 20 per cent in the last year, reflecting the strength and ambition of regional customers.

“Our customers in the regions are investing, growing and backing themselves. Our job is to show up in a way that supports that ambition and delivers the right mix of face-to-face and digital service,” McCann said.

Westpac is also expanding its Community Banking Service pilot to Walcha in regional NSW, building on the existing service in Bulahdelah, Manilla and Dungog.

The service provides regular, in‑person banking support in towns with Westpac bankers visiting fortnightly, giving customers direct, face‑to‑face access to banking services and support to complement digital banking options.

“A one‑size‑fits‑all model doesn’t always work, particularly across such diverse regional communities,” McCann said.

“That’s why we extended our moratorium on regional branch closures through to 2030, to give ourselves the time and space to get this right. We’re carefully considering where we should be delivering services, and what the most practical and sustainable models look like for different towns.

“The reality is most banking is now done digitally, but people still like face-to-face service. The challenge and the opportunity we have is finding the right balance between in‑person and digital, so customers get the service they need in a way that makes sense for them.”

Initial feedback on the Community Banking Service pilot has been encouraging, with customers using the service for everyday banking support, loan enquiries and help with tasks they aren’t comfortable completing online.

The Community Banking Service will commence in Walcha in May.

WESTPAC INVESTMENT IN REGIONAL BANKING

Media contact:

media@westpac.com.au