Bendigo Bank delivers record returns to communities

“Our unique model ensures a portion of the profits from almost 300 Community Bank branches are directed back into community strengthening initiatives each year,” said Justine Minne, Bendigo Bank’s Head of Community Banking.

“Bendigo Bank’s purpose is to feed into the prosperity of its customers and the community. Last financial year, the model facilitated the return of $51.7 million across nearly 10,000 projects. More than $467 million has now been returned to communities via donations, grants, scholarships and sponsorships since inception in 1998.”

In FY26, Community Bank funding supported 9,921 diverse projects across Australia, including:

• Treasured landmark: The Cummins and District War Memorial pool re-opened in December thanks to ongoing support from Community Bank Cummins District. Over $550,000 was invested in the project, bringing a much-loved facility back to life for the regional South Australian community.
• Native wildlife: $10,000 in financial support from Community Bank Buninyong helped the Ballarat Wildlife Hospital in Victoria purchase a portable x-ray machine. The hospital treats native animals impacted by injury, illness, road trauma, habitat pressures and emergency events.
• Reliable transport: Community Bank Goomalling and Districts sponsored the purchase of a new community bus to provide safe and reliable transport for WA youth. The culmination of 18 months’ work and collaboration with the Shire of Goomalling staff and councillors, the bus has already been used to take the local footy team to a regional carnival and transport primary school students to a NAIDOC Unity Walk.

“In April 2026, Bendigo Bank launched a new in-app feature called Community Link, offering to new-to-bank customers who sign up via the Bendigo Bank app the opportunity to nominate their home branch and start making a difference in their local communities immediately,” said Ms Minne.

“Within the first two months of its launch, more than two-thirds of customers that signed up had selected a Community Bank, which is a great result, demonstrating the strong demand for modern and purpose driven banking offerings.”

FY26 funding by category

• Health and Wellbeing - $10.90m
• Community Facilities and Infrastructure - $10.75m
• Sports and Recreation - $10.37m
• Arts, Culture and Heritage - $8.03m
• Education and Research - $7.75m
• Emergency Services and Support - $2.10m
• Environment and Animal Welfare - $1.85m