Regional Australia Bank and Summerland Bank have entered discussions regarding a proposed merger.

In a statement to members, Regional Australia Bank state this partnership of established, financially sound customer-owned banks will strengthen their market presence and improve their service to regional communities across Australia, uniting their common mission to empower communities through a member-owned banking model.

The statement also states that there’s no branch closures planned, as there is no overlap in locations, and there will be no forced redundancies adding it will prioritise preserving and enhancing face-to-face retail banking services in regional communities.

Both memberships will participate in a general meeting planned for late 2025, with the legal merger scheduled for July 1, 2026.