Most major banks in Australia have larger branches in the capital city of each state, if not several. The density of bank branches in city locales is due to higher population levels, as well as usually greater convenience for bank activity from city to city. Bank groups are likely to have offices in every capital city of Australia, regardless of the size of the institution, however certain banks will have a stronger presence in a specific city. Regional banks, for instance, regularly restrict customers to a relatively small area of the country, meaning they may not even station a bank branch in each city.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), National Australia Bank (NAB), and Westpac are Australia’s four biggest banking groups, with a significant banking presence in every Australian capital city. These four banks are to be found throughout each major Australian city also, and their competition is considered by the government to be of such importance to Australia’s economic health that the long standing ‘four pillars’ policy has long been enforced to prevent these banks from merging. St. George bank also shows great prevalence in providing many branches in each city. It is growing to rival the big four and may become as important a part of Australian city banking in the future.
Aside from the major players, there are several banks that are more likely to be found in Brisbane city than anywhere else. Suncorp-Metway has extensive offices in Brisbane, and is headquartered there, as is the Bank of Queensland. Suncorp-Metway is an extensive force in the Australian insurance industry, especially in each major Queensland city. Brisbane city does not have as many bank headquarters as many of the other east coast capital cities, but it is experiencing a growth period that could see that change in the future.
As Australia’s most populous city and the capital of New South Wales, Sydney holds the headquarters of many major Australian banks. Two of the four major banks have bank branches in this most well-known Australian city, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac. Additionally, St. George, the Macquarie Bank and AMP Bank have headquarters in the city of Sydney. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA(, who dictate Australian banking policy, is also based in Sydney. Most of the foreign owned banks have with presences in Australia have their major branch in Sydney.
The other famous city of Australia and the capital of Victoria, the city of Melbourne also boasts the headquarters of two Australian banking pillars, National Australia Bank and the Australian and New Zealand Banking Group. Aside from those are the Members Equity Bank as well as the Bank of Cyprus’ Australian headquarters. The city of Bendigo, also in Victoria, is the home of the prestigious Bendigo Bank, another bank growing to compete with the big four.
There is little major banking presence in the capital city of each of the other states and territories. Adelaide does hold the Adelaide bank, and Perth hosts the Bank of Western Australia, but other headquarters are of smaller regional banks. Each large bank holds a significant presence in every capital city, however.
