2011/12 ClubsACT Corporate Partners

Calwell and Wanniassa Community Bank® branches. How they work.

When the Community Bank® model was established, few people thought local communities could influence banks - now more than 250 communities around Australia are running their own Community Bank® branches. The basic process is that communities form local publicly owned companies which enter into a commercial franchise to run a Bendigo Bank branch.

Bendigo Bank provides the banking infrastructure and licensing, while the community runs the branch operation and generates customer support.  Together Bendigo Bank and the local community share the revenue, with local surpluses available for reinvestment in the community via grants, sponsorships and dividends to local shareholders. To many, a Community Bank® is generally perceived to be a ‘different style of banking service’. In fact, it is much more than this. Whether revitalizing a local shopping strip, directing profits to community projects or supporting schools, charities and sporting clubs, Community Bank® branches around Australia continue to prove that many hands make light work.

Some of the local groups our branches currently support include Snowy Hydro Helicopter, Heart Foundation (ACT), ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group, Claire Holland House, Oz Harvest, RSPCA (ACT), Diabetes (ACT), Autism Aspergers Association, Tandem, Special Olympics (ACT), Home in QBN, Lions Youth Haven, Bosom Buddies and many schools from across Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra.