Australian Prudential Regulation Authority clarifies ADI points of presence reporting for co-located face-to-face service channels

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has issued additional guidance on reporting points of presence under Reporting Standard ARS 796.0 for Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions, focused on how co-located face-to-face service channels should be classified. The clarification is intended to make industry reporting more consistent by emphasizing that the framework is based on the physical service channel provided, not simply the location. Under the guidance, face-to-face service channels should be reported separately when they are in different geographic locations or when they operate in the same location but are not co-located, including where they are in the same building on different floors with separate customer entrances. Where multiple face-to-face channels are co-located in the same geographic location, they should be reported as a single point of presence. If a branch is co-located with one or more other face-to-face channels, the site should be reported as a branch. If multiple other face-to-face channels are co-located, ADIs should report one other face-to-face point of presence. Related FAQs reiterate that branch and other face-to-face classifications remain governed by ARS 796 definitions, and note for example that cashless locations cannot be classified as branches. APRA expects ADIs to apply the clarification consistently and to review existing reporting practices and make any necessary adjustments to align with these expectations.