Media File

Community Bank® has caught the attention of journalists and media commentators nationwide.

"Communities fight back after closures", Melbourne Herald Sun, 13 December 2001

"(East Kew) Bank committee member Chris Bovill said the community was pinning its hopes on the new bank to revitalise the shopping strip, which was struggling after losing all its banks.

"Businesses in other areas have reported a jump of up to 25 per cent in trade after the opening of their Community Bank®s."

"Banking on community interest", Weekend Australian, 4-5 August 2001

"Community-minded citizens are flocking to support the Bendigo Bank's Community Bank® scheme, with close to 50 branches set up and 30 more due to open by the end of the financial year.

"Such is the level of interest that Bendigo Bank has been forced to slow down the rollout of new outlets, postponing discussions with at least 100 other interested townships. The townsfolk have not only proved to be eager customers, but have stumped up $250,000 plus by becoming shareholders."

"Locals give bank a $1b boost", Herald Sun, 17 July 2001

"Banks may be greedy, but there's a lost billion dollars they have given up chasing, according to the Community Bank® scheme.

"The Bendigo Bank, which operates the resident-owned Community Bank® concept, said it recently reached the one billion dollar mark in business banking in just three years of operation."

"Banking on strength of good neighbors", The Australian, 30 April 2001

"Some of our banks are considering a new way to approach branch banking - one that encompasses the need to be more a part of local communities.

"The pioneer of using bank branches as a community centre is the Bendigo Bank. It is also going one step further by trialling the use of its branches as local telecommunications and phone service retailing centres.

"Bendigo Bank was the first to harness the enhanced sense of locality that is sweeping Australian communities, particularly among upmarket spenders."

"Up and ATM, all for the counter culture", The Age, 17 July 2001

"When the Commonwealth Bank closed its branch in the little Victorian town of Warburton two years ago, people had to travel 10 kilometres to the nearest ATM.

"So they set up their own bank, and yesterday the Warburton branch of the Bendigo Community Bank® turned over the Australia-wide network's billionth dollar of business since the first branch opened in 1998."

"Anger propels bid for smaller banks", The Courier Mail, 23 June 2001

"Anger is the driving force behind compounding interest in community banking in south east Queensland.

"At least four communities in Brisbane are raising more than $1 million for individual community banks.

"The support for community banks is driven by anti-bank anger, according to business leaders who are lining up to financially support local communities abandoned by the major banks."

"The big banks? Who needs 'em?", Sunday Age, 22 July 2001

"Signs at the entrance to picturesque Minyip announce that it was once "Tidiest Town" and home to the TV show Flying Doctors.

"Like many a small town, it has endured setbacks. But some say the Community Bank®, founded three years ago with neighboring town Rupanyup, will prove the biggest boon since the TV show.

"The good thing (with the bank) is that we are masters of our own destiny, says livestock and real estate agent Nick McIntyre."

"Banking spirit fired up", The Sunday Times, 27 May 2001

"Community Banks are flourishing in WA as anti-bank sentiment grips the state.

"By the end of the year there could be as many as 17 operating in WA.

"Forrestfield Community Bank® chairman Phil Mutter said they turned to Bendigo when BankWest and the Commonwealth Bank left the local shopping centre two years ago.

I used to have to go to Kalamunda every day to do my banking, he said.

"That's a 20km round trip and I had to employ more staff in my shop to cover my absence."

"Cummins embraces its bank", The Advertiser, December 13, 2000

"After a year-long struggle, the small Eyre Peninsula town of Cummins (SA) will gain the state's second Community Bank®.

"Cummins and the surrounding population of 3500 people will celebrate the return of a bank to the town on Friday night.

Festivities will include a street parade followed by the official launch of the Cummins Community Bank®".

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