Bendigo Bank has confirmed that a new phase of its organisational restructure could affect dozens of Australian employees, with the Finance Sector Union (FSU) warning that up to 80 jobs are at risk as the bank continues transferring some operational functions to global business services company Genpact. The announcement has renewed concerns about offshoring, job security and the future of regional employment at one of Australia's largest customer-owned banking institutions.
The latest changes involve parts of the bank's Customer Enablement Business and Agribusiness Lending Operations, where some work will transition to Genpact as part of a broader technology and operational transformation strategy. Bendigo Bank acknowledged that the restructure would affect a number of employees but said it is consulting with staff throughout the process and providing support for those impacted. The bank maintains that modernising operations is necessary to improve customer service, efficiency and long-term competitiveness in an increasingly digital banking environment.
The Finance Sector Union has criticised the move, arguing that Australian jobs are being shifted offshore despite the bank's strong regional identity and community banking reputation. National Secretary Julia Angrisano said affected workers should be offered opportunities to retrain and move into other areas of the organisation rather than face redundancy. The union also called on the bank to reconsider its outsourcing strategy and prioritise investment in Australian employees.
This latest announcement follows Bendigo Bank's earlier partnership agreements with Genpact and Infosys, announced in April 2026, which prompted concerns that a much larger number of roles across the organisation could eventually be transferred offshore. At the time, the bank said the partnerships were designed to accelerate digital transformation, improve technology capabilities and enhance customer experiences while reducing operating costs. Those earlier announcements generated significant debate among staff, unions and regional communities where Bendigo Bank has traditionally maintained a strong employment presence.
The restructure has particular significance for Bendigo, where the bank remains one of the city's largest private employers. Local community leaders have previously expressed concern that ongoing workforce reductions could affect the regional economy through reduced household spending and employment opportunities. While the exact number of local positions affected has not been confirmed, the union believes up to 80 employees could lose their jobs if redeployment options are not available.
Bendigo Bank says it remains committed to supporting regional Australia and investing in customer services despite the operational changes. The organisation has stated that it will continue consulting with employees and unions while implementing the restructure and that affected staff will have access to career support and transition assistance where required.
The development highlights the growing challenge facing Australia's banking sector as institutions increasingly adopt automation, artificial intelligence and outsourced services to remain competitive. While banks argue these changes improve efficiency and customer outcomes, unions continue to warn they risk reducing local employment and weakening regional economies. Discussions between the bank, employees and union representatives are expected to continue as the restructuring process progresses.
