By Matthew Sims
2009 was a tumultuous time globally speaking, with the Global Financial Crisis causing worldwide impacts and Black Saturday devastating wide areas of the state.
However, Beaconsfield welcomed one of its key pillars moving forward, with the Community Bank Beaconsfield District opening for business on 15 September.
Members of the Beaconsfield community met with board directors and staff members on Monday 16 September to celebrate 15 years of the branch at Middle Ground.
Beaconsfield District Community Financial Services chairman Graeme Taylor said it was a difficult time to start a bank.
“In the earlier years, we struggled due mainly to the effects of the Global Financial Crisis,“ he said.
“However, losses of earlier years were turned into profits from 2017 and onwards.
“The profits of the last two financial years have been significant due mostly to higher margin income which is affected by the changing interest rates.
“What an achievement in the economic circumstances.“
Mr Taylor said the bank was proud to have given more than $1 million back to local communities by way of grants, sponsorships and donations.
“As a community bank, we expend some of our profits by way of grants, sponsorships and donations to assist mostly local organisations,“ he said.
“In the last two financial years, we have paid a total of $450,000 to the Community Enterprise Foundation, which is administered by Bendigo Bank.
“These funds are held to pay future grants and it provides the opportunity to support a large value project.“
Mr Taylor said the branch would not have had the same amount of success without the support of the community.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the contributions by the staff over the last 15 years,“ he said.
“A big thank you to our shareholders as without them we would not exist.
“Thanks to everyone who have contributed to the success of Community Bank Beaconsfield District, be they customers, staff, shareholders.“
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank community bank relationship manager Tania Hansen said she was proud to see the achievements of the Beaconsfield branch over the past 15 years.
“You are part of a national network,“ she said.
“This is a milestone that you should be proud of.
“Just by backing locals, your community is going to prosper.“
Current board directors also presented retired board directors David Nutter and Carol Porter, who departed the board in June, with certificates of appreciation, with Carol Porter one of the founding members of the branch.
