First Australian customers officially join Bendigo Bank

Bendigo Bank's customer base will be boosted by 165,000 account-holders when the official conversion between Bendigo and First Australian/Northern building societies is completed tonight. (eds: Friday, 31 August)

The friendly merger between Bendigo Bank and First Australian/Northern building societies will be finalised tonight when the Queensland-based banking system is converted across to Bendigo Bank.

More than 165,000 former First Australian Building Society account-holders will officially become customers of Bendigo Bank, swelling the bank's customer base to more than 600,000.

Bendigo Bank State Manager Retail (QLD) Dennis Bice said the conversion was ahead of schedule, the final change over to Bendigo Bank occurring within 12 months of the Supreme Court officially approving the merger.

"Twelve months of planning by teams in Bendigo and Ipswich will culminate in tonight's changeover to the Bendigo system," Mr Bice said.

"The changeover is a massive undertaking, but we are confident the conversion will proceed smoothly. It will do so, not only because of our skills but because of our Queensland staff and Customers have embraced their new bank and shown themselves to be prepared to work with us to get things right.

"From Monday, customers will be able to automatically access a far wider range of services than formerly, including Internet banking and business banking.

"Bendigo Bank delivered 165,000 letters leading up to conversion, advising Customers of their new accounts and providing them with options for alternative accounts. Bendigo has also mailed out 60,000 new cash and VISA cards."

Following tonight's conversion to the Bendigo Bank computer system, testing will begin immediately to ensure the system is running smoothly.

Customers will soon receive a letter from Bendigo Bank advising them of their new account details.

In the meantime, former First Australian and Northern Customers can continue to use their old account numbers.

Once the conversion is complete, Bendigo Bank will begin to convert all 42 First Australian/Northern ATMs in Queensland to Bendigo Bank machines.

A Customer Hotline number has been established to assist Customers with the transition and any queries can be directed to 1300 559 055 (local call).