Regional Australia Bank has been named Australia’s most recommended customer-owned bank at the 2026 RFI Global Australian Banking and Finance Awards.
The award is based entirely on independent customer advocacy research and recommendation data, drawing on feedback from more than 62,000 Australian consumers and 18,000 businesses each year, along with analysis of real-world digital banking interactions.
Unlike many industry awards, winners are not determined by judging panels or submissions but by customer recommendation levels, measured through Net Promoter Score results.
Chief executive officer David Heine said the recognition reflects the trust the bank has built with regional communities.
“To be named Australia’s Most Recommended Customer Owned Bank is a powerful endorsement because it comes directly from our customers,” Mr Heine said.
“Recommendation is earned. It reflects consistent service, strong products, and the confidence our customers have in how we operate.”
Mr Heine said the result demonstrates regional institutions can compete strongly at a national level.
“This award reinforces that a customer-owned model delivers real value. Our customers are our owners, which means our focus is long term. Every decision we make is centred on delivering sustainable outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Regional Australia Bank said that as a customer-owned bank, profits are reinvested into products, services and community initiatives rather than distributed to external shareholders.
In the past financial year, the bank said it reinvested more than $2.89 million into community partnerships and grassroots organisations supporting regional sport, health, youth services and local development across New South Wales.
Mr Heine said the recognition belonged equally to customers and staff.
“Our team works hard every day to deliver a banking experience that earns advocacy,” he said.
“Being recommended by our customers is the highest measure of success, and we remain committed to strengthening the financial wellbeing of regional Australians.”
Headquartered in Armidale and Port Macquarie, Regional Australia Bank operates 49 branches, predominantly across regional New South Wales. The bank employs more than 450 staff, manages more than $5 billion in assets and serves more than 130,000 members.
The bank has also been expanding through mergers and acquisitions, recently merging with Northern Rivers Bank and currently negotiating a merger with SWS Bank as part of its ongoing growth strategy.
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