As most banks pull back from main streets, one has just rolled out the welcome mat.
Queensland Country Bank opened a new branch on Duporth Avenue at Maroochydore on June 4.
Manager Mark Gielis said many people in the area were delighted to have direct access.
“Locals are very welcoming and excited to have a full service: a face-to-face banking provider so close to the Big Top shopping centre,” he said.
“The new branch has been warmly welcomed by businesses and community.
“The common feedback we are getting is that we are bucking the trend by opening a real branch.”
There are five staff members in the branch and two in the upstairs lending centre.
He said the branch opening was “a great celebration” three years in the making.
Personal banking specialist Mary-Ann Neilson was “thrilled” to be based at the branch.
“I started my journey with Queensland Country Credit Union, as it was known back then, in 2004,” she said.
“I began at the Tieri branch in Central Queensland and, over the years, I’ve worked at many of our locations around the state. These days, I call Bli Bli home.
“My daughter and her partner of 14 years also bank with us. Their kids round out our family affair.
“Yes, they became members because of me and they absolutely love the Queensland Country Bank experience.
“They can talk to the same person each time they have questions and they know our team is genuinely interested in them as people, not just as members. Plus, our rates are very competitive: a win-win all around.”
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Queensland Country Bank CEO Aaron Newman hosted the community welcome event at the new branch.
He said the opening was a milestone that reflected the bank’s focus on growth and investment in Queensland.
“While many banks are closing their doors, particularly in regional areas, Queensland Country Bank continues to prioritise supporting the regions and communities where our members live and work,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in Queensland and we are committed to being where our members are.
“The Maroochydore branch expands our services and investment in the Sunshine Coast region adding to our already established Maleny branch.”
Queensland Country Bank is a member-owned bank that started at Mount Isa in 1971.
