Community banking invests where customers live

INVESTING IN THE community

Community banks invest their profi ts back into the towns where their customers live and work.

STORY: THOM MONAGHAN

Every year, the big Australian banks make billions of dollars in profi t. How much of that profi t goes to shareholders and executive bonuses? Does any of it make its way back to the community? If you’re banking with a community bank, you can be confi dent your profi ts go back into your local community — funding local groups and projects to improve your town. That’s what Community Bank — Kyabram & District does. Since the branch opened six years ago, Community Bank — Kyabram & District has invested more than $350,000 of the company’s profi ts back into the community. The bank has funded sporting clubs and the local aged care facility, and has helped purchase a car for the ‘L to P’ learner driver program. Recently, the branch helped fund the Kyabram water tank mural, which was painted by artist Jimmy D’vate. It has also helped fund a major project in collaboration with the Kyabram Club at Kyabram Fauna Park. This support brings people to the town.“We’re a community-owned and operated bank,” branch manager Ben Langley said.“We off er competitive banking products and great home loan rates and when you bank with Community Bank — Kyabram & District, the profi ts that we make from your banking are distributed locally.” Last year, Australian banks made upwards of $26 billion dollars in profi t according to KPMG, and Ben believes this is why customers should bank with local community banks. “When you bank with a local community bank such as the Kyabram community bank, you know that the profi ts made from banking with us, go straight back into our community,” he said. “Unlike other banking institutions, we are unique in the fact that we can invest our profi ts back into the local community.“Community banks are locally owned, so local people have a big say in where they would like to direct the profi ts. “We try and diversify where we invest the company’s profi ts. We’ve invested into many sporting clubs, however we support local VCE students getting to university or TAFE through our tertiary scholarship program and are proud partners with Kyabram Tomorrow Development Group. “We encourage community groups and organisations to talk to our board of directors and branch staff about how

Community benefi ts: Community Bank – Kyabram; District has funded a Kyabram Fauna Park major project in collaboration with the Kyabram Club. Pictured are (from left) Te rry Nepean, Vince Curtis, Lachlan Gordon and Dale Denham.

Community Bank — Kyabram; District can support local projects and events. “All they have to do is come into the branch and pick up an application form. That way, we get a chance to have a chat with them and talk through how Community Bank — Kyabram & District can potentially support community groups and organisations. “It’s really that simple.” If you would like to talk to a local bank that cares for your community, call in to the Community Bank — Kyabram & District branch at 1/171 Allan St, Kyabram to talk through how your banking can support your community.

Supporting youth: Community Bank — Kyabram; District branch manager Ben Langley is proud of the bank’s involvement with Campaspe Shire’s learn-to-drive program.

Community benefi ts: Community Bank – Kyabram; District has funded a Kyabram Fauna Park major project in collaboration with the Kyabram Club. Pictured are (from left) Terry Nepean, Vince Curtis, Lachlan Gordon and Dale Denham.