Bendigo Bank delivers $50 million boost for community projects

Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank model has delivered a record $50.2 million of investment for community strengthening projects over the last financial year, an increase of more than 23 per cent compared to the previous year. 

The unique model, which ensures a portion of the profits from each Community Bank are returned to the community, has helped fund laptop and literacy programs in primary schools, lifesaving rescue equipment in surf clubs, emergency housing for older women, and a new specialist clinical cancer nurse at a regional hospital for 12 months.   

“Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank model funded more than 9,320 on-the-ground projects in communities around the country over the last financial year,” Head of Community Banking, Justine Minne said. 

“More than $416 million has now been returned to communities via donations, grants, scholarships and sponsorships since the inception of the Community Bank model in 1998. 

“The community bank model has grown from a concept designed to empower communities at risk of losing face-to-face banking services to a network of more than 300 branches. There is nothing quite like this in Australia.”  

In FY25, Community Bank funding helped deliver 9,327 projects, including: 

• Bushfire safety: With fire season tipped to come early this year, new ‘Starlink’ telecommunications technology is being rolled out in the Dandenong Ranges region of Victoria, along with 15 thermal imaging cameras to assist rural fire brigades to identify hidden hot spots, such as smouldering hollow trees – thanks to almost $75,000 from Community Banks in the Dandenong Ranges region.  

• Helping young drivers: $12,000 in financial support from Community Bank San Remo & District has helped the purchase a of a new car for a local learn to drive service, making lessons more financially accessible for young, disadvantaged drivers in the San Remo/ Mornington Peninsula region of Victoria who don’t have access to a car or tutor. 

• Supporting safer and respectful relationships: Community Bank North Richmond and Richmond has funded $391,806 – of a total commitment of $731,505 – towards a collaborative, evidence-based program that aims to reduce intergenerational violence and promote safer relationships for young people, while also offering intensive support to vulnerable individuals and families. 

Ms Minne said the strength of this year’s community contributions reflects the performance of the network and the Bank’s longstanding purpose to feed into the prosperity of its customers and the community: “At Bendigo Bank, our commitment to community is at the heart of everything we do. We are so proud to see funding from our Community Bank branch network continue to grow strongly.”