Pomona’s banking on them

Back, from left, Laurie Taylor, Rob Chittick, Rick Cooper, Geoff Edwards, front from left, Heather Manders, Stephen Hilditch and Pam Hoens celebrate the opening.

IT’S time. After months of preparation, Pomona’s very own Bendigo Bank Agency is set to open tomorrow.
Located at 3 Station Street, the agency will initially service Pomona and the Noosa hinterland three days a week every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-3pm.
Chairman of Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services Limited Rick Cooper said the agency would provide residents, traders and community groups with an alternative, locally-owned banking option.
“The Cooroy community has already seen the benefits a local banking service can bring, both in terms of easy access to banking, and the reinvestment of profits back into the local community,” Mr Cooper said.
The agency will offer transaction and lending services, be able to process home loans, personal loans, business lending and credit cards.
There will also be opportunity to book in financial planning and business banking appointments. In the next few weeks, an ATM will also be installed as an added convenience to locals.
“We’re delighted to be able to deliver what the Pomona community asked for last year, and all indications are this agency will grow from strength to strength,” Mr Cooper said.
“I’m sure the local word of mouth will mean we’ll have lots of inquiries in the coming weeks.
“We know there’s great excitement about Pomona having a real say in its own future, and the new agency will be a chance to exercise that. Pam Hoens and the team are excited and ready to assist with locals with their banking needs.”
Mr Cooper said the more support the Pomona agency received, the more support the bank could offer the community.
“Every savings or investment account, every home or personal loan, every insurance policy, and every product or service we offer, means money can go back into the community,” he said.
“As one of the new agency’s customers, you not only make a decision that benefits you, you make one that benefits the whole community.”
Agencies represent about 20 per cent of Bendigo Bank’s retail outlets and the new Pomona agency will be fully supported by Cooroy Community Bank branch staff.
Manager Geoff Edwards will continue to be based in Cooroy and customer relationship officer, Pam Hoens will now occupy her office in the Pomona agency during opening hours.
If you have any questions regarding the new agency, call Geoff, Pam and the team on 5447 7131 at Cooroy, or at Pomona agency during opening hours on 5485 1786 or Pam on mobile on 0435 537 187 for further information.