Simply Better Banking at Bendigo Bank
It’s easy to talk about the importance of connecting community and supporting local so Deb Caruso chooses to put her money where her mouth is.
Bendigo Bank positions itself as ‘the better big bank’ and rightfully so with more than 400 branches servicing a network of over 2.5 million customers, it certainly has a significant presence in the Australian banking landscape. More importantly, the Community Bank model has seen more than $320 million reinvested back into local communities across Australia with a commitment to sustainability and operating ethically – and without sacrificing on the latest technology to provide secure and accessible banking.
It’s no wonder Bendigo Bank has earned the mantle of Australia’s Number One Most Trusted Bank in both 2022 and 2023, according to an independent Roy Morgan survey. Closer to home, Community Bank Sunshine Coast with Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy, and Marcoola branches, was established 22 years ago by local shareholders and has donated more than $4.7 million via the profit-with-purpose model that sees up to 80% of profits returned to the community.
While the 2023-2024 Community Contributions Balance Sheet report is still being finalised, the previous financial year showed more than 70 organisations that benefitted from donations including funding for local DFV housing, a pavilion for Permaculture Noosa, a projector for Noosa Art Theatre, studio upgrades for Noosa FM101.3, and contributions to connecting the digital community through meetups at Peregian Digital Hub, and educational support through Altitude Scholarships.
More recently, the Cooroy Badminton Club unveiled its upgraded facilities to bring it up to Olympic standard thanks to a $120,000 grant and, as Noosa Coast Guard enters its 50th year of operations, it can be thankful to Community Bank Sunshine Coast for literally keeping it afloat! On dry land, the safety of Tinbeerwah & District Rural Fire Brigade’s brave firefighters has been increased with noise-cancelling radio headsets, thanks to… you know who.
Over the years, Community Bank Sunshine Coast has provided vehicles for Red Frogs; Katie Rose Hospice; and, as it enters the third year of support, a production services truck for Sunny Coast Showdown to foster the emerging film industry on the Sunshine Coast. The wider arts community receives assistance through sponsorship of Noosa Alive and Noosa Open Studios as well as the opportunity for local artists and artisans to show and sell their work in with a dedicated Art Space and Retail Pop-Up within the Community Bank branches.
The Tewantin branch also offers its boardroom as a meeting space for community groups and provides its unique space for events after-hours. It’s ironic that Community Bank Sunshine Coast is sponsoring the ‘Social Impact’ category of the Noosa Biosphere Awards given all that they do to build a better community.
The full list of what Community Bank Sunshine Coast gives back to the community is exhaustive. So for us, it was a no-brainer to switch to a bank that aligns with both our personal principles and business beliefs. For our personal needs, we have been with our current bank for two decades and with several accounts and loans, change can feel overwhelming and while it can be daunting to change banks, one of the benefits of choosing a community bank is the personalised service and ability to be on a first-name basis with the Branch Manager who can offer the best advice and support.
Led by Branch Managers Kerryn Vincart, Steve Clarke and Yariet Peers, three banking professionals with a combined 60 years of experience; Community Bank Sunshine Coast offers good-old fashioned service with in-person meetings, phone calls, or email. An obligation-free chat with Tewantin-Noosa Branch Manager Kerryn Vincart helped identify what we needed from a bank to make our money work for us. With her assistance, we easily took the first step to transition to Community Bank Bendigo Bank. The combination of secure online forms plus having Kerryn just a phone call or email away made the process seamless and stress-free.
Similarly, as we mark ten years of IN Noosa Magazine, it’s time to switch to a bank that aligns with our business and gives back to the community we are so passionate about. By the time our summer edition arrives, IN Publishing will have started the transition to Community Bank Sunshine Coast with the knowledge that the bank will return a significant share of its profits directly to the people and communities that generate them.
It’s a win for everyone! By us choosing Community Bank Sunshine Coast and our clients choosing us, they will indirectly be contributing to a brighter community and that’s simply better banking.
