The two case studies and other research (McDonnell and Westbury 2001) undertaken on these issues have highlighted a number of justifications commonly employed by the banks, government and some economic commentators for the withdrawal of or inability to deliver banking and financial services to Indigenous communities. Among these are:
that because of deregulation of the industry and greater competition the continued provision, let alone the establishment of new branches, in regional and remote areas by the major banks, is no longer commercially viable;
that Indigenous customers are high risk because of their general lack of credit histories, comparatively low incomes and limited collateral to secure personal or housing loans;
that communities resident on Aboriginal lands or reserves are necessarily precluded from access to individual housing or commercial loans, because Commonwealth and State laws prevent use of Indigenous land as collateral; and
that a bank’s first obligation is to secure maximum profit returns for their shareholders. This precludes the exercise of any wide ranging obligation to provide a community service.