David Matthews appointed to Rural Bank board
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank director David Matthews has been appointed as a non-executive Director to the Board of the Bank's wholly owned subsidiary, Rural Bank.
Mr Matthews became involved in the banking industry in 1998 when he led a push to return banking services to his home town of Rupanyup, in Victoria's Wimmera region. He became Chairman of the Rupanyup Minyip Finance Group, the not-for-profit company that launched Australia's first two Community Bank® branches.
As the Community Bank® network grew, Mr Matthews helped establish the national body that represents the now 305-strong branch network of Community Bank®branches. During this time, as co-chair of the Community Bank® Strategic Advisory Board, he was also appointed to the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Board.
An agribusiness operator and exporter, Mr Matthews brings to the appointment first-hand knowledge of the agricultural sector.
"Agriculture is enjoying something of a renaissance at present, Mr Matthews said.
"Those of us who are involved in this industry for the long term should see this as an opportunity to attract significant public and private investment into the food and fibre value chain.
"But we also understand there will be both good times and tough times ahead in agriculture and we have to manage our businesses accordingly.
"As a specialist agribusiness lender, I believe Rural Bank will be a great partner to farmers through the cycles. And in this new role, I'm looking forward to doing what I can to remind the broader Australian community of the value agriculture brings to our nation.
About Rural Bank
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group, Rural Bank is the only Australian-owned and operated dedicated agribusiness bank. The bank backs farmers by providing them with financial tools that help smooth out seasonal fluctuations in income and expenditure. Its specialist farm finance tools are available nationally via a network of banking partners, including Bendigo Bank and Community Bank® branches and Elders Rural Services. Rural Bank delivers customers with unparalleled choice and access within regional and rural communities and on the farm. Funds deposited with Rural Bank are returned to country Australia in the form of loans to farmers and the bank also support the Australian farming community through a countrywide program of community involvement activities.
