Bendigo Bank lifts its Melbourne profile

The Bank behind Australia's successful Community Banking concept is taking a higher profile in the City.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Peter Costigan today officially opened Bendigo Bank's new flagship City branch in a prime retail location on the corner Collins and Elizabeth streets.

"Community Bank has helped raise public awareness of Bendigo Bank to unprecedented levels and this site gives us high visibility in the City for the first time," said Bendigo's metropolitan regional manager Vicki Pearce.

"We expect to generate a strong level of inquiry which will flow through to new business.

"It will also enhance service both to city workers and Bendigo Bank customers visiting Melbourne.

"The 303 Collins Street branch will be among the most modern and up-to-date branches in the Bendigo network."

Cr Costigan welcomed the bank's commitment to Melbourne's central business district.

"At a time of public disquiet about many of the changes taking place in banking, Bendigo Bank is carving out a niche as a customer-focused bank.

"Bendigo remains committed to providing customers with access to branch service or electronic banking and enabling them to choose how they want to bank.

"This is a refreshing approach and one which I know will be welcomed by shoppers and business people within the CBD.

"Council is committed to continuing to improve shopper amenities in the City and we welcome the advent of a major branch banking outlet in such a prime location."

Bendigo Bank's co-tenant at 303 Collins Street is its alliance partner IOOF. The two firms are joint venture partners in Bendigo Investment Services, which will provide specialist financial planning services from the location. IOOF funds management products and advice is also available.

"Both firms were looking to improve their City visibility and it made sense to do it together," Ms Pearce said.

She said Bendigo Bank's existing branches at 406 Collins Street and 93 Elizabeth Street would be merged into the new branch.

"It's somewhat ironic that we are merging two branches into one given that Bendigo Bank is rapidly expanding its branch network throughout Australia," Ms Pearce said.

"But there is no question that this is a service improvement. The old branches were less than half-a-block away from the new site and were both small and low-profile. This new branch is spacious, comfortable and offers high visibility and excellent access.

"I'm sure Customers will find the new branch a terrific environment in which to conduct their banking business."

The branch will open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. It will incorporate two ATM's, one located inside and one outside the building for convenient 24-hour, seven days a week banking.

Bendigo Bank has 157 branches within its network, spread throughout regional and metropolitan Australia.