Over the last financial year, more than $40 million has been injected into communities by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Community Bank model, providing funding for 8021 projects. Since 1998, Community Banks have contributed $366 million to communities across the country through one of Australia’s biggest and most widely recognised social enterprises.
Bendigo Bank’s unique Community Bank model has now been embraced by more than 300 communities across Australia, where local branches support economic growth and their grants and sponsorships underpin and strengthen the social fabric.
Head of Community Banking at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Justine Minne, said the vital funding model is enabling the building of community infrastructure, improving educational outcomes, strengthening the arts and culturally diverse communities and providing places for Australians to live, work and play.
“Every day our customers help change and save lives, simply by doing their banking with us,” Ms Minne said.
“Our model has funded $366 million worth of builds and upgrades to sporting clubs and parks, hospital wings, installation of defibrillators, support for ambulances and volunteer fire brigades, rescue boats, care facilities and so much more, all over Australia,” she said.
“Customers and their communities are at the heart of who we are at Bendigo Bank, and Community Banking is based on a 'profit-with-purpose' model, which means our profits are returned directly to the community that has generated them.”
“These returns are further amplified, too, as Community Bank funding often attracts co-investors such as local, state and federal governments creating a multiplier effect on the capital raised which has enabled projects totalling over an estimated $1 billion.”
"Our customers know their banking is making a real difference, and these figures are testament to the importance and continuing relevance of the Community Bank model.”
Bendigo Bank is Australia’s most trusted bank for more than 2.5 million customers in hundreds of communities nationwide. Founded in 1998 with branches in Rupanyup and Minyip, the Community Bank model has grown from a concept designed to empower communities at risk of losing face-to-face banking services to a powerful network of community minded organisations attracting $20.7 billion in loans and $35 billion in deposits as of 30 June 2024.
Highlights
| FY24 funding applications | $ 40,457,751 |
| Funding provided since inception in 1998 | $365,576,456 |
| Number of projects funded in FY24 | 8021 |
National contribution totals by sector
| Sport & recreation | $9,224,004 |
| Community facilities & infrastructure | $8,828,224 |
| Health & wellbeing | $7,742,640 |
| Education & research | $7,513,524 |
| Arts, culture & heritage | $4,391,645 |
| Emergency services & support | $1,755,064 |
| Environment & animal welfare | $ 902,647 |
Contribution totals by state
| VIC Metro | $11,876,610 |
| VIC Regional | $ 9,732,111 |
| QLD | $ 5,830,803 |
| NSW/ACT | $ 5,121,011 |
| WA | $ 3,983,770 |
| SA | $ 2,319,747 |
| TAS | $ 1,155,678 |
| NT | $ 438,017 |
