As a proud Gippsland local and dedicated mortgage broker, I’ve seen first-hand the quiet but troubling decline in accessible financial services across our region.
In recent years, bank branches have been shutting their doors in town after town — from Orbost, Omeo, Lakes Entrance, Maffra, Traralgon, Moe, Morwell, Churchill, Leongatha Bunyip and beyond.
There is not a town that hasn’t been impacted with over 20 branch closures in five years. What’s vanishing isn’t just brick-and-mortar infrastructure, but something more important: the personal, face-to-face relationships that once anchored financial literacy and trust in our communities.
While digital banking offers convenience, it can never replace the value of local knowledge, tailored advice, and human connection. For many — especially our elderly residents, first home buyers, farmers, and small business owners — banking is not just about transactions. It’s about relationships, clarity, and confidence
in the decisions they’re making.
When the banks disappear, so too does that foundation.
That’s where mortgage brokers have become more important than ever.
We are the first point of contact for people navigating increasingly complex lending landscapes. We don’t just help secure finance — we educate, guide, and advocate for our clients every step of the way. Unlike large institutions, we take the time to truly understand individual circumstances. We sit down over a cuppa, explain options clearly, and offer solutions that are designed to support long-term financial wellbeing — not just quarterly targets.
As banks retreat from the regions, brokers are leaning in. And we’re not just plugging the gap — we’re becoming the trusted financial voice for people who feel forgotten by the big end of town.
But to continue supporting our communities, we need:
– Industry recognition of brokers as frontline financial educators in regional Australia;
– Fair access to lending platforms
for all clients, not just those in capital cities;
– And policy support that protects the diversity of finance professionals in the lending ecosystem.
Our clients in Gippsland deserve the same support and opportunities as anyone in Melbourne or Sydney. When bank branches close, it’s mortgage brokers who are keeping financial access alive — and we do it with heart, experience, and a deep connection to the people we support.
As a community we need to ensure that no one in regional Australia is left behind simple due to big institutions leaving regional people behind. Support those that support you.
— Jaime Savory
Mortgage Broker | Gippsland Advocate
