(26 August 2004 – Australia) Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie have joined forces to cut the ribbon on Bank of Queensland’s first branch in Melbourne’s CBD.The new branch at 455 Bourke Street is BOQ’s second in Victoria following the opening of a branch in Frankston several weeks ago.
Premier Bracks welcomed further competition in Victoria, saying he congratulated BOQ on becoming part of the state’s booming financial services sector.
“I am delighted the first two BOQ branches in Victoria are owned and managed by local business people. The competition can only be good for Victorian banking customers,” he said.
BOQ managing director David Liddy said the bank intended opening at least three branches in the Melbourne CBD.
He said BOQ had been overwhelmed by the number of bankers keen to be part of the bank’s interstate expansion.
The CBD branch will be manned by Frank Filippone and Tom Tancredi, who have some 30 years of banking experience between them.
BOQ plans to open 100 owner-managed branches in Victoria and New South Wales over the next two years.