The Community Bank® Model of Bendigo Bank

Between June 1993 and June 2000, some 2060 bank branches closed across Australia (a 29% reduction in branch numbers). Many communities were left without branch banking facilities. Bendigo Bank received numerous requests to open branches in these towns and suburbs. It felt, however, that installing the same style branch as those which had closed carried a high risk of failure. The bank therefore devised Community Bank®, a new branch banking model which involves local people in solving their own banking needs. Community Bank® places a commercial framework around the co-operative spirit evident in many communities.

Banking on Community Spirit is a book recording the efforts of 22 Australian communities who became the first in Australia to open a Community Bank® Branch of Bendigo Bank. The Lang Lang story is an example of what people can expect when they read Banking on Community Spirit. It is available in PDF format online. [Download from the Bendigo Bank site]