Media Release

BankSA has been a part of South Australia since the beginning.

For 166 years, we’ve helped South Australians buy their homes, make more of their savings and grow their businesses. We’ve learned the art of customer service and serving the State, and we’ve built a strong brand that South Australians have a deep connection with.

As one of South Australia’s biggest employers and this State’s local financial institution, complete with local leaders, local credit and local decision making, we have a significant role to play in growing the economic and social prosperity of South Australia.

And this is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

Through thought leadership, supporting our communities, increasing opportunities for South Australians and, of course, continuing to help South Australians realise their dreams of home ownership and business growth, we can make this State a better place for generations to come.

BankSA has listened to our customers and we’ve listened to our employees and, on September 3, we announced our program of activities that will build this State a bank for the future.

A customer-focussed branch network

Our customers have told us that our branches look tired and run-down. As demographics have changed, some of our branches, once in locations convenient for our customers, are no longer serving the community the way they used to. Meanwhile, branches that are well located are missing the latest technology our customers need.

We’re undertaking the biggest modernisation of BankSA’s branch network. Over the next 12 months, we’re expanding our services at 45 branches across South Australia, and installing iPads and smart ATMs for our customers to use.

As we continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of our customers, BankSA will close branches, open branches, refurbish branches and relocate branches, but ultimately we will retain the largest network of branches in South Australia.

We are closing our Regency Park, Parkside, Walkerville, Erindale, Flinders Medical Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hahndorf, Freeling, Lobethal and Willunga branches.

We are opening new branches at Munno Para and the new Churchill Shopping Centre in Kilburn.

An innovative way to bank

Our customers have told us they want better ways to do their everyday banking. With nine out of 10 transactions now taking place at an ATM, online or on a mobile device, our customers seek faster, better, efficient and innovative solutions.

We’re investing in new technology and tools that will allow our customers to transact in a way that suits them.

Today, BankSA will soon be one of the first banks in the world to launch fingerprint technology, which will allow our customers to securely logon to mobile banking on their iPhone by using a fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint logon will also be extended to the Android-based Samsung Galaxy S5 in the coming months.

We’ve also recently rolled out Business Connect technology to a first tranche of 20 branches in our network. This valuable investment provides small business customers with the opportunity to undertake face-to-face meetings with business experts and specialists via easy to use video conferencing facilities.

A new identity

South Australians have told us that our brand doesn’t convey the dynamism, momentum and energy of our bank and our State.

So, we’re relaunching ourselves to our customers and the people of South Australia with a new brand identity, logo and tagline. Preparations are underway to roll this out within the coming weeks.

A better South Australia

South Australians have told us that they want to live, work and raise their families in a thriving State that’s full of opportunities. They want jobs for their children, an easier way to do business and local prosperity.

So we’re doing something about it. BankSA is embracing the role we can play to create a better South Australia. As a foundation partner in the Shaping SA initiative, we’ve presented the South Australian Government with ten priorities to better the State, and are working pro-actively to turn them into reality.

We also know that we must lead by example and, to this end, are implementing a package of BankSA initiatives that will create and support youth employment in South Australia, including internship, graduate and traineeship programs, as well as launching a unique, first-of-its-kind job share scheme.

BankSA has some work to do, but we’ve wasted no time in getting started. We’re committed to delivering to the people of South Australia their bank for the future.