Holiday Coast Credit Union and Regional Australia Bank members vote in favour of merger

31 May 2019

Over 90% of members of both Regional Australia Bank and Holiday Coast Credit Union (Holiday Coast) voted in favour of the merger in separate Special General Meetings held this week. The vote carried a resolution that will now see one of the largest mergers in the customer owned banking sector in recent times. The sector continues to experience consolidation as its struggles to attain the necessary scale to meet changing market conditions.

Chairman of Regional Australia Bank, Graham Olrich said, that “while the sector proudly continues to grow, particularly as people turn away from the Big Four banks, it is smaller institutions that find it difficult to sustain that growth and keep pace with digital transformation and increasing regulatory complexity.”

“While both HCCU and Regional Australia Bank have been performing well in their respective adjoining markets, we see this merger delivering tangible and immediate financial and non-financial benefits to members of both organisations. Additionally, it will also help preserve a strong and sustainable mutual financial institution in regional Australia.”

“We are excited by the prospect of value that this merger will deliver for our members. Competitive products and services, fair fees & charges as well as greater investment in technology and service systems for the long-term will be some of the key benefits. This is what the partnership is all about, creating sustainable value for members and offering genuine support to the communities where they live and work.”

The combined entity will be $2.2 billion in assets and service about 85,000 members across northern NSW. Graham Olrich will continue as Chairman of the combined entity with Kevin Dupé retaining his position as Regional Australia Bank CEO. Retiring Holiday Coast CEO Neville Parsons will join directors Allan Gordon (Chairman) and David Johnson as members of the Regional Australia Bank Board. The transfer of business will take place from July 1st 2019 subject to regulatory approval by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, with systems migration to follow in the months thereafter.