Demand for new bank

HILLS residents will soon get the chance to do their banking close to home.
The Bendigo Bank’s Upwey and District Community Bank Group will soon be opening a new Olinda/Mt Dandenong branch.
The sub-branch will offer a range of Bendigo Bank services and will be owned by Upwey and District Community Finance Limited which currently operates the Upwey, Belgrave and Cockatoo branches.
Chairman Peter Marke said since opening the Upwey branch in 1998, there had been a steady and growing demand for the service. This led to open branches in Belgrave and Cockatoo.
“The initial aim was always to return banking services to our community,” he said.
“We have obviously done that and now are providing those services to outer areas of our business catchments that do not have immediate access to all banking services.”
The Bendigo Bank funnels part of its profits back into the community for local schools, clubs and volunteer organisations with annual pledges.
Mr Marke said the bank was not just about giving back to those communities but maintaining growth to optimise opportunities for stakeholders in the Dandenongs.
“Over time it is proposed that this branch be converted to a full community bank branch at which time the communities in the Olinda/Mt Dandenong area will be invited to invest in the public company which will operate all four branches,” Mr Marke said.
The new branch will be located next to the Wild Oak Restaurant at 230 Ridge Road, Olinda, and is expected to open in time for Christmas.