Bendigo Bank branch opens in Horsham

Bendigo Bank's new Horsham branch opens for business on Monday.

"This is a great day for both Horsham and Bendigo Bank,"regional manager Dennis Bice said when announcing the opening.

"We are delighted to be expanding our presence in Horsham, which is fondly regarded by the Bank following the region's instrumental role in helping us launch our Community Bank initiative.

"The Community Bank branches at Rupanyup and Minyip have been tremendously successful and have established a base in the Wimmera from which we can launch our Horsham branch."

Mr Bice said the new branch had created four jobs, all of which had been filled by local people.

"Four new jobs makes a real contribution to the Horsham community, one which we will expand over time.

"As Australia's only regional and community bank, Bendigo believes in returning the support of the communities in which we operate."

Mr Bice said the bank had been "overwhelmed" by public reaction to the announcement in July of its intention to open a Horsham branch.

"Originally we planned to begin with a manager and two staff, but we have been so overwhelmed by public reaction to our announcement that we will operate with two managers.

"Our business banking manager David Currie will specialise in business and farm banking, with customer service manager Jane Bodey in charge of day-to-day banking.

"They will be supported by customer service officers Sharlene Tucker and Janette Leslie."

The branch will open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 9am to noon on Saturdays.

It is located at 80-82 Firebrace Street and occupies the space formerly taken by two shops.

"We have given ourselves room to grow as our business grows,"Mr Bice said.

"We believe district people will welcome the choice of dealing with a bank which is strongly committed to regional people and we expect the branch to grow strongly."

The branch will be officially opened on Friday 19 November by Wimmera MLA Hugh Delahunty in the presence of senior Bendigo Bank managers.

Mr Bice said the Bendigo planned a public celebration on the day of the official opening. Details will be announced soon.

"We have seen supermarkets undertake major expansion works in Henty and Rupanyup and Wentworth chairman Cheryl Rix tells us the bank has brought new life to the main street.

"Bendigo is continuing to work on other programs designed to give these communities even more control over the capital they produce.

"Community Bank is but stage one of a program to improve their prospects."