Bank of Queensland

A Bank of Queensland was established in 1863. It collapsed in 1866 closing its doors in the severe financial depression{{cite web |last1=Hodes |first1=Jeremey |title=The Queensland financial crisis of 1866 |url=http://queenslandhistory.blogspot.com/2011/09/queensland-financial-crisis-of-1866.html |website=Queensland History |access-date=18 July 2018 |date=15 September 2011 |quote=Source: S. J. Butlin. Australia and New Zealand Bank: The Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank of Australia Limited, 1828-1951. London, Longmans, 1961, p. 180}}{{cite web |title=History |url=https://ntharmss.eq.edu.au/Ourschool/History/Pages/History.aspx |website=North Arm State School |publisher=The State of Queensland (Department of Education) |access-date=18 July 2018 |quote=Source: North Arm State School Centenary 1985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718120102/https://ntharmss.eq.edu.au/Ourschool/History/Pages/History.aspx |archive-date=18 July 2018 |url-status=dead }} known as the Panic of 1866. Another bank took the same name in 1917 but disappeared into the National Bank in 1922.

The current Bank of Queensland was established in 1874 as The Brisbane Permanent Benefit Building and Investment Society.{{cite web |title=Our History, BOQ |url=https://www.boq.com.au/About-us/our-history |website=Bank of Queensland |publisher=Bank of Queensland |access-date=18 July 2018}} It was incorporated in 1887. It amalgamated with City and Suburban Building Society in 1921 and with Queensland Deposit Bank a decade later. It remained a savings bank come building society until a trading bank licence was obtained in 1942 in the name of Brisbane Building and Banking Company.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/209814657 Control of Banks] The Age 27 November 1941 page 4

Brisbane Building and Banking Company changed its name to Bank of Queensland (BOQ) on 1 May 1970 and was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1971. Its operations were computerised in 1970.{{cite web |url=http://www.boq.com.au/aboutus_corporate.htm |title=Corporate information |publisher=Bank of Queensland |access-date=26 February 2012 }}

Bank of Queensland incorporated Bank of Queensland Savings Bank as a wholly owned subsidiary in 1982. In 1991 BOQ acquired Stowe Electronic Switching Pty Ltd and renamed it Queensland Electronic Switching Pty Ltd.

In 1999, Bank of Hawaii bought 5.8 m shares (approx. 10%) in Bank of Queensland. Two years later Bank of Hawaii sold its 6.2 m shares and 5.4 m convertible notes in Bank of Queensland to refocus on its operations in Hawaii.

In 2002, the Bank launched the tagline "bank different" which was to be their branding until 2011.

BOQ acquired the equipment financing business of UFJ Bank in Australia and New Zealand in 2003. The bank also acquired ATM Solutions.

Between 2001 and 2004, BOQ accelerated its branch opening program, opening 55 new branches throughout Queensland and then branches in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory in 2004.The following year BOQ acquired the $78 million debtor finance division of Orix Australia. In 2006 the bank acquired Queensland-based Pioneer Permanent Building Society with full integration completed in November 2007.{{Cite web|title=Mergers and Acquisitions|url=https://www.boq.com.au/About-us/mergers-and-acquisitions.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.boq.com.au|language=en}}

The bank opened branches in the Northern Territory and Western Australia in 2006 and then merged with Western Australia-based Home Building Society and the Queensland-based Mackay Permanent Building Society in 2007.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a08xPw88as.s&refer=australia |title=Bank of Queensland Agrees to Acquire Home Building |author=Stuart Kelly |access-date=26 February 2012 |date=31 August 2007 |publisher=Bloomberg News}}

In 2010, BOQ joined the rediATM network, and purchased St Andrew's Insurance. St Andrew's is an Australian manufacturer of consumer credit insurance products. It also acquired the Australian and New Zealand divisions of CIT Group Inc, a supplier of vendor finance to small businesses and middle market companies. In that year, BOQ launched a new slogan "Your own personal bank" which was replaced in 2013.{{Cite journal|last=Inman|first=Mason|date=December 2009|title=Your own personal office climate control|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0262-4079(09)63186-9|journal=New Scientist|volume=204|issue=2737|pages=23|doi=10.1016/s0262-4079(09)63186-9|bibcode=2009NewSc.204...23I|issn=0262-4079}}

In 2011, the bank experienced a profit slump due to lending losses from the 2010–11 Queensland floods.{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/business/bank-of-queensland-profit-stung-by-bad-debts-20110414-1dend.html |title=Bank of Queensland profit stung by bad debts |author=Eric Johnston |access-date=26 February 2012 |date=14 April 2011 |work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media }}

In 2013 BOQ bought Virgin Money Australia for $40 million. Under the deal, BOQ has rights to the Virgin Money name in Australia for four decades while paying royalties to the Virgin Group, and Virgin has a seat on the BOQ board.{{Cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/business/companies/branson-sells-virgin-money-for-40m/story-fnda1bsz-1226617230875 |title=Branson sells Virgin Money for $40m |publisher=News.com.au |date=10 April 2013 |access-date=30 April 2013}}

BOQ launched a new branding in 2013 – “It’s possible to love a bank".{{Cite web|date=2013-05-31|title=Bank of Queensland launches new 'It's possible to love a bank' rebranding campaign via BWM|url=https://campaignbrief.com/bank-of-queensland-launches-ne/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Campaign Brief|language=en-AU}}

BOQ launched a new five-year five pillar strategy focused on growth and digitisation in February 2020. This included reducing some of the 220 banking products it offered and reducing processing times to counter underperformance{{Cite web|last=Grieve|first=Charlotte|date=2020-02-27|title=Bank of Queensland unveils five-year plan, hikes 2020 guidance|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/bank-of-queensland-unveils-five-year-plan-revises-2020-guidance-20200227-p544t5.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

In January 2021, BOQ was given approval by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission to purchase ME Bank[https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/accc-cleared-me-bank-boq-merger-in-january-as-challenge-to-big-four-20210219-p5743h.html ACCC cleared ME Bank, BoQ merger in January as challenge to Big Four] Sydney Morning Herald 19 February 2021 for $A1.3 billion raised through an underwritten capital raising of $A1.35 billion. Half of the Bank of Queensland's customers are in Queensland with another 30% split across New South Wales and Western Australia. One third of ME Bank's with another 47% based in New South Wales and Queensland. Combined, the group will have pro forma total assets over $88 billion, with total deposits of more than $56 billion.{{Cite web|title=2021-02-22|url=https://www.boq.com.au/About-us/media-centre/media-releases/2021-02-22.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.boq.com.au|language=en}} The ME brand will be maintained together with BOQ and Virgin Money. The purchase was approved by the Treasurer of Australia in June 2021, with the sale expected to be completed on 1 July 2021.[https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02386160-2A1304295?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4 Treasurer Approval for ME Bank Acquisition] Bank of Queensland 21 June 2021

In October 2021, BOQ sold its St Andrew’s Insurance business to Farmcove Investment Holdings for $23 million.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=APRA approves St Andrew's Insurance sale to Farmcove |url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/apra-approves-st-andrews-insurance-sale-to-farmcove-314418.aspx |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=Insurance Business |language=en}}

In August 2024, BOQ announced it would make up to 400 employees redundant and end its franchise model, moving to a corporate-owned branch structure by March 2025.{{Cite web |last=Ilanbey |first=Sumeyya |date=2024-08-22 |title=‘Death by a thousand cuts’: Bank of Queensland slashes up to 400 jobs |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/death-by-a-thousand-cuts-bank-of-queensland-slashes-up-to-400-jobs-20240822-p5k4d9.html |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

The BOQ chose a franchise model as a key part of its expansion nationally across Australia in the early 2000s. Many of the bank's branches are run as franchises, under which the bank pays franchisees commissions on the loans they generate, the deposits they source and other products they retail.{{Cite web|date=2016-03-18|title=Mick Gatto called in to Bank of Queensland franchisee dispute|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-18/mickgatto-mediates-boq-franchisee-dispute/7259046|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}} BOQ calls the franchisees "Owner Managers", and selects small business owners who have strong community relationships{{Cite web|title=Our Franchisee Criteria|url=https://www.boq.com.au/About-us/franchise-opportunity/our-franchisee-criteria.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.boq.com.au|language=en}} to set up a local branch in a suburb or town.{{Cite web|date=2018-07-31|title=A success story: 15 years in the making - BOQ Castletown|url=https://successnq.com.au/2018/07/31/success-story-15-years-making-boq-castletown/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Success North Queensland|language=en}} BOQ's stated aim was to offer "communities the security of a national bank combined with local know-how" and a personal banker.{{Cite web|title=Franchise Opportunities|url=https://www.boq.com.au/About-us/franchise-opportunity.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.boq.com.au|language=en}}

The branch owner is responsible for employing and managing the branch staff and all other operating costs associated with running the business whilst operating according to BOQ's policies and procedures. BOQ is responsible for overall brand, policy, product, and operations.{{Cite web|title=Franchising FAQs|url=https://www.boq.com.au/About-us/franchise-opportunity/Franchise-faq.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.boq.com.au|language=en}} Owner Managers were eligible for a series of rewards including BMW car and travel vouchers.{{Cite web|last=Waters|first=Cara|date=2018-05-24|title='Bank is not the friend of small business': admits BoQ executive|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/bank-of-queensland-accused-of-litany-of-errors-in-loan-to-wendy-s-franchisee-20180524-p4zh7u.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

Following the 2011 loss, the BOQ reduced its branch network which included taking control of some of the franchise branches and buying the branch owners out.

BOQ experienced a series of litigation actions between 2014 and 2016 by some franchise owners who believed that they had been unfairly treated.

Two of BOQ's Victorian franchisees sued the bank in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2014, claiming senior bank management forced them out of business.{{Cite web|date=2014-05-04|title=Bank of Queensland embroiled in lawsuits with franchisees|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/bank-of-queensland-embroiled-in-lawsuits-with-franchisees-20140505-iu0fs|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}} In 2013, the bank terminated the franchise agreement with the owner-managers of its Geelong West branch in Victoria and used police and security guards to prevent them entering their branch.{{Cite web|last=Baker|first=Richard|date=2013-11-26|title=Judge hits BoQ over use of police|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/judge-hits-boq-over-use-of-police-20131126-2y86m.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=The Age|language=en}}

In 2014, BOQ won a large class action proceeding in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. In this case, the Bank successfully defended claims of misleading and deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct and negligence brought by eleven franchisees who claimed loss and damage caused by the failure of their franchise branches.{{Cite web|date=2014-02-26|title=Branch franchisees fail in a class action against the Bank of Queensland – Andrew Kirby and Kieran Hickie {{!}} CommBar Matters|url=https://commbarmatters.com.au/2014/02/26/branch-franchisees-fail-in-a-class-action-against-the-bank-of-queensland-andrew-kirby-and-kieran-hickie/|access-date=2021-06-04|language=en-AU}} In 2015, the NSW Court of Appeal rejected the claimants' appeal.{{Cite web|title=Bank of Queensland {{!}} Omni Bridgeway|url=https://portal.omnibridgeway.com/cases/detail/bank-of-queensland|access-date=2021-06-04|website=portal.omnibridgeway.com}}

During the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, the banks franchise model was scrutinised.

In February 2020, the CEO stated that as part of a new five year strategy, that owner-manager branches would continue to be an important and growing part of the business.{{Cite web|last=Grieve|first=Charlotte|date=2020-02-27|title=Bank of Queensland unveils five-year plan, hikes 2020 guidance|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/bank-of-queensland-unveils-five-year-plan-revises-2020-guidance-20200227-p544t5.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

In August 2024, BOQ announced it would buy all owner-managed branches and convert them to corporate branches by March 2025. CEO Patrick Allaway said "The current operating model and structure is not sustainable for us."{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Lucas |date=2024-08-22 |title=Business model unsustainable, says BoQ, as it sacks 400 staff |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/boq-to-sack-400-staff-and-buy-out-branches-in-160m-campaign-20240822-p5k4cp |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}

Notable former franchisees include Simon Black, Mark Bartholomeusz and Ben Tune.

In 2010, it was found that one of the Townsville branches of the Bank of Queensland was giving loans to clients of the collapsed Storm Financial.Fanning, Ellen. [http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/1064746/boq-docs-show-problems-with-storm-loans "BOQ docs show problems with Storm loans"], 60 Minutes, Australia, 4 June 2010. Retrieved on 6 June 2010. Australian Securities & Investments Commission undertook compensation suits on behalf of Storm Financial clients against the BOQ.{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/pair-pin-storms-fall-on-bank-and-asic-failures-20120207-1r587.html |title=Pair pin Storm's fall on bank and ASIC failures |author=Elisabeth Sexton |access-date=26 February 2012 |date=8 February 2012 |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=Fairfax Media }}

BOQ was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2014, in recognition of its excellence in providing banking services to Queensland for over a century and its continuing expansion nationally.{{Cite web|url=http://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/|title=Hall of Fame|website=Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame|publisher=State Library of Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023083836/http://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/|archive-date=23 October 2018|url-status=live|access-date=23 October 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/bank-of-queensland/|title=BOQ|website=Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame|access-date=7 August 2017}}

{{Portal|Queensland|Banks|Companies}}

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{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book |title=The first one hundred and ten years : Bank of Queensland Limited, 1874-1984 a history / A.N. Murrell. |vauthors=((Murrell, A. N.)) |date=1987 |publisher=Bank of Queensland |isbn=0731601165}}

• [http://www.boq.com.au/ Bank of Queensland]
• [https://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/bank-queensland Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame]
• [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/11l3i0/alma99183898119802061 Bank of Queensland Digital Story, Extended Digital Story and Oral History], State Library of Queensland
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8lUQ3UzvfI BOQ the story behind our new marketing campaign "It's possible to love a bank"]

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