The return of face-to-face branch banking to Tasmania was announced this evening when the Minister for Community Development Michelle O’Byrne officially opened the State’s first privately-owned bank in Launceston CBD.
Owned and managed by local banker and businessman Tony Barnard, the Bank of Queensland Owner-Managed Branch brings a new way of banking to the Apple Isle.
In opening the branch, Ms O’Byrne said the opening of the Bank of Queensland’s first Tasmanian branch was a sign of strong business confidence in Tasmania.
“The concept of the franchise-like branches means that Mr Barnard’s knowledge of local business issues and Tasmania’s economy is central to the bank’s service,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“I applaud the Bank of Queensland’s local approach to doing business.
“Together with flexible opening hours, including weekends, I’m sure it will contribute to making it easier to do business in Tasmania,” she said.
Group Executive for National Franchise Banking, Donna Quinn, said BOQ Launceston, situated in the city’s CBD, had been attracting plenty of local interest.
“Like many of our 78 non-Queensland branches, the branch here in Launceston has initially caused a lot of passers-by to wonder what a Queensland bank is doing so far south,” Ms Quinn said.
“But when they find out the branch is locally owned, is staffed and managed by local people and offers personalised, face-to-face service to each and every customer, they understand why a Bank that has operated in Queensland for 130 years can take on the big banks and win.
“Owner-Manager Tony Barnard is a highly qualified banker with 24 years’ experience in the industry and who cares about his customers and making sure their needs are met.”
Mr Barnard said the reason his branch had enjoyed such support in the short time it had been open was that the big banks in the area had simply driven their customers away with off-hand service and lengthening queues.
“A lot of the new customers flooding into my branch are just after good service – things like being greeted personally, having staff look at them and listen when they talk, and being served promptly and professionally,” he said.
Bank of Queensland is located in the heart of Launceston at 71 George Street and can be reached direct by phoning 6324 1333.