Community & Business
11 June, 2026
Westpac announces banking services for Clifton
Westpac is expanding its services to more regional locations, announcing that it will bring its Community Banking Service to six Queensland towns – Clifton, Pittsworth, Malanda, Ravenshoe, Clermont and Laidley.
With the NAB branch at King Street closed since 2024, the announcement from Westpac is welcome news for Clifton as banking services are set to return after a two year hiatus.
“From agriculture to resources, tourism and small business, regional Queensland is central to the country’s growth and resilience,” Westpac CEO Anthony Miller said.
“A one-size-fits-all model doesn’t always work, particularly across such diverse regional communities.
“The Community Banking Service is about being present in these regions, understanding local conditions and supporting everyday decisions, whether that’s for households or businesses.
“While most banking is now done digitally, 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.”
The Community Banking Service provides regular, in-person banking support in regional towns with Westpac bankers visiting fortnightly, giving customers direct, face-to-face access to banking services and support to complement digital banking options.
The exodus of banking branches from the bush has left residents of towns like Clifton in the lurch.
“Personal relationships matter in regional areas, and we understand the value of sitting down across the table with someone who knows your business, your family and your goals,” Mr Miller said.
“But we’re not chasing a one-size-fits-all model and we need to get the balance right.
“Approximately 96 per cent of all transactions are now completed digitally, so we need to consider how we can deliver world-class banking services that meet all needs of our customers in the regions, whether that’s physically, digitally or personally.”
After a trial for the Community Banking Service in regional communities of Dungog, Bulahdelah and Manilla in New South Wales Westpac has announced an expansion to the scheme which includes Clifton.
The service is designed to be more accessible but also to help those who may not be so confident with online banking, get used to moving money online or on their phones.
The expansion of the service into regional Queensland is set to happen in the second half of 2026.
Exact dates when services will be in town have not yet been released.
The announcement also comes as welcome news for Pittsworth whose last Heritage branch closed this year to intense local backlash.
The closing of branches from regional communities has been a controversial move in contrast to the profit margins of the big four banks, all of which exceeded $5 billion in 2025.
