Bank of Queensland has launched its campaign to improve banking services on the Sunshine Coast with an explosion of three new branches in the next three weeks - the first opens today at Maleny [Wed, Nov 20].
In December, Maleny will be joined by new Mooloolaba and Currimundi branches as Bank of Queensland turns its focus to the Sunshine Coast and ramps up its campaign to open 34 new branches throughout the State and improve banking services.
The three new Sunshine Coast branches will increase the Bank's network in the region to 12 branches - a welcome relief to growing communities in the State's growth corridor.
This is a stark contrast to the big banks which continue to close branches across the country, including 15 on the Coast in the past five years.
In keeping with Maleny's mix of traditional character and new-age innovation, the branch has broken with the banking norm and will be located in a fully restored Queenslander on Maple Street, the main entrance to the town.
Managing Director David Liddy said the managers and staff of the new branches in Mooloolaba, Currimundi and Maleny would be integral members of the Sunshine Coast community.
"For example our new Maleny branch will be managed by long-time resident Brad Platz, who has pledged a commitment to bringing friendly, face-to-face banking to Maleny and surrounding towns, many of them still without their own bank," Mr Liddy said.
"The people of Maleny place a strong emphasis on supporting the community, and this philosophy underpins Bank of Queensland's whole operation. We believe face-to-face banking is what it's all about - the more often our customers come in and see us, the better we understand their needs and the better we can help them.
"Brad will be based permanently in the branch - not in head office - ready to help personal and business customers with their banking.
"Our new managers in Maleny, Mooloolaba and Currimundi, can approve loans in the branch, drawing on local knowledge and familiarity with his customers rather than having to call a centralised loan centre in Brisbane or even Sydney or Melbourne like other banks.
"We are a one-stop financial services shop, offering wealth management advice and competitive insurance packages in association with Bank of Queensland's alliance partners, Royal Sun Alliance and ABN AMRO Morgans."
Maleny branch details
Address: 1 Maple Street, Maleny
Phone: 5499 9855
Fax: 5499 9866
Hours of Business: Mon-Thur 9.00am - 4.00pm
Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm
Branch Manager: Brad Platz
Commercial & Rural Manager: Sam Archer
Customer Service Officers: Christine Peters, Desley Blaese and Sue Copelin