Banking on service

AFTER more than eight years in Upwey, the local Community Bank representation in the Dandenong Ranges continues to grow.
“The local Community Bank company has become an important service within the Dandenong Ranges,” chairman Peter Marke said. “We employ 17 staff across three branches and have provided tens of thousands of dollars worth of sponsorship to community groups and projects during this time.
“Upwey and District Community Bank branch and the two new branches this local company has opened have been a huge success, not only for the company but for the communities in which they operate,” he said.
“Hundreds of locals are today shareholders in their Community Bank company, who, along with their communities, share in the profits generated by the local community-owned branches.
“Through the commitment of a local board of directors, not only do the communities of Upwey, Belgrave and Cockatoo/Gembrook have traditional bank branches, they have created employment for locals and a revenue stream which would previously have been lost to a head office located in a capital city.”
The company that operates the Community Bank branches in the Dandenong Ranges is a proud supporter of local events and projects.
“Of course, our branches provide a full range of banking products and services, a branch manager and are open from Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings,” said Mr Marke.
“This is a company owned and operated by the people of our community and importantly, a percentage of our branch profits are retained in the communities that support us.”