Regulations disadvantage smaller banks, says Bendigo CEO Mike Hirst THE head of Australia's largest regional lender says current banking regulations have left it having to fight with one hand tied behind our back" compared to the big four banks. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank chief executive Mike Hirst said regulations put in place since the global financial crisis have put smaller lenders at a disadvantage compared to their larger counterparts. Size is a powerful ally in any endeavour. In banking in Australia it provides larger players with funding and regulatory advantages that ultimately restrict consumer choice," he told shareholders at the bank's annual general meeting today. Mr Hirst said he hoped the Abbott government's planned financial services inquiry would consider ways to level the playing field for smaller lenders. He said the review could consider providing "a hierarchy of priorities" for regulations to ensure banking resources were best targeted to address the greatest problems.