As climate concerns mount, and the importance of sustainability becomes more evident, individuals and businesses are increasingly focused on eco-friendly practices.
While many people are familiar with the concept of reducing, reusing, and recycling in their daily lives, there is another aspect of sustainability that often goes unnoticed – banking local.
One notable pioneer in the realm of community banking is Bendigo Bank, which introduced the Community Bank concept 22 years ago.
Driven by a shared philosophy that places customers and the community at the heart of its operations, Bendigo Bank stands out from traditional banks due to its unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Bendigo Community Banks allocate up to 80 per cent of profit back into the communities they serve, creating a remarkable point of distinction and making substantial contributions to the long-term well-being of those communities.
Operated by Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services (SCCFSL), the Community Banks of Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy, and Marcoola have reinvested over $2.9 million into the local community thus far.
One standout initiative involved a staggering $500,000 contribution specifically aimed at providing safe and secure housing for survivors of domestic family violence in the local area.
Such remarkable investments truly underscore the bank’s dedication to supporting the community and its pressing needs.
SCCFL sponsorship and marketing chair, Elizabeth Reynolds said, “We are committed to reducing our own carbon and environmental footprint. In pursuit of this goal, solar panels have been installed on our Cooroy and Tewantin branch buildings”.
Community Banks aim to:
– Provide a physical presence for face-to-face banking.
– Help the community share in the potential growth of their local economy.
– Operate on a profit-with-purpose model, which profits returned directly back into the communities that generated them.
The customers of local Bendigo Banks deserve to be proud that their banking is making such a huge difference to their communities.
For our neighbours who may be considering a switch, talk to Kerryn Vincart, Branch Manager at the Community Bank of Tewantin-Noosa on 0493 103 159.
