Most clubs do their banking the way the previous treasurer set it up. The problem is that some banks offer significantly more to community sport than others, and the difference between a good deal and an average one can be hundreds of dollars a year — money clubs would rather spend on hoops or lawn care.

We had a closer look at seven Australian banks this month. The full briefing is published as a 20-page magazine; the short version is below.

## What we found

Free or rental-free EFTPOS exists at more than one bank. Westpac's Community Solutions One package waives account fees for not-for-profits and includes EFTPOS Air, an app-based reader with no hardware to buy. Bendigo's CommunityPOS lets local community groups apply for a rental-free terminal through their nearest Community Bank branch.

Queensland Country Bank's *Good for Good* grants are real money. They give out $5,000 to $30,000 a year to community groups, with applications opening each July. In 2025-26 they distributed $221,677 across 16 Queensland organisations, sports clubs included. They're also the Brisbane Heat principal sponsor.

Bendigo's Community Bank branches return profit to the towns they sit in. Four Queensland croquet clubs sit on top of one. Since 1999 Bendigo has returned almost $100 million to sports clubs nationally.

Bank of Queensland still does face-to-face setup. That matters for older committees who'd rather sort EFTPOS at the counter than online. Their Wide Bay branch coverage (Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough) is strong.

People First Bank has been closing branches across regional Queensland. Hervey Bay, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and most of the Darling Downs lost branches in the 2025–26 round. Worth knowing if your club still banks with the old Heritage.

## What we're not doing

Picking a bank for the whole state. What's right for a 200-member metro club in Brisbane isn't right for a 30-member regional club in Cairns. The bank that suits your committee depends on what setup support you need, what you're already paying, and which branches sit near you.

## What we'd like

A conversation on ClubHub. There's now a thread called Banking options — which bank does your club use?. If your club uses Westpac, drop a one-liner saying so and what setup was like. If you're a treasurer wondering whether Bendigo's worth the switch, ask the question. The clubs that already know are right there.

The full briefing is attached to the thread, or email me directly for a copy.

— Wade Hart, CAQ