The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its 2023 authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) points of presence statistics.
The points of presence statistics are a detailed listing of the physical banking service channels provided to Australians, including branches, ATMs and EFTPOS facilities.
The latest statistics show a further decline in bank branches in the year to 30 June 2023, with a reduction of 424 branches across Australia (11 per cent), including 122 branches (7 per cent) in regional and remote areas. This continues a trend that has seen branch numbers decline by 34 per cent in regional and remote areas, and 37 per cent overall, since the end of June 2017.
As the national data collection agency for the financial sector, APRA collects points of presence information from banks, credit unions and building societies and publishes it annually. In response to a recommendation of the Regional Banking Taskforce, APRA is reviewing its points of presence statistics and began consulting with stakeholders in April this year. APRA is currently assessing the feedback provided by submissions and is engaging in further discussions with relevant stakeholders. APRA expects to launch a second round of consultation in 2024.
APRA is also closely following the progress of the Senate inquiry into bank closures in regional Australia and will continue to support its work.
Copies of the latest ADI points of presence statistics are available on APRA's website at: Authorised deposit-taking institutions' points of presence statistics.
