Meet the home loan specialists

When Community Bank Winchelsea first opened 22 years ago, the main ambition was to retain banking services in a regional town.

The local board of volunteer directors at the time wanted to build a business that would do that, while also strengthening the communities they operate in. Local employment was an important factor in opening the branches and with a growing business now operating three branches (Anglesea, Winchelsea and Lorne) across the Surf Coast the company has 18 employees. Within the group is a dedicated team of home loan specialists – Josie, Caitlyn and Ebony, led by Julie Dunkley.

The team prides themselves on their ability to help local families and individuals navigate the exciting and emotional journey of home ownership, being a home loan lender is more than just processing applications, it’s about understanding their customers unique financial situations and providing guidance every step of the way.

Josie, Caitlyn, Ebony and Julie are relationship specialists, once they have completed the loan the relationship doesn’t end there, they stay in contact with the customers to continue to support their entire banking relationship.

Having the background knowledge from prior roles they ensure each customer is set up for success, with complimentary accounts and products and they continue to monitor and support their entire banking relationship to ensure it evolves with the needs of the customer and that they always remain on a competitive rate and products suitable for their needs.

This ongoing relationship management is what sets them apart from other lenders, as they have a ‘door always open’ policy and direct phone lines which allow customers to continue to have a relationship manager that understands their needs post loan settlement.

Beyond their roles in lending, what sets this team apart is their shared passion for working at Community Bank Surf Coast. Unlike traditional banks, the Community Bank model reinvests profits back into the local area, supporting clubs, schools, and community initiatives. This sense of purpose resonates deeply with the team as locals with a strong connection to the community; Julie a life member of the Modewarre Football and Netball Club with more then 20 years of volunteering under her belt, Josie and Ebony current volunteers and players at the Winchelsea Football and Netball Club and Caitlyn a wildlife rescue volunteer supporting community comes naturally to this team.

“Knowing that our profits go directly back into supporting our local communities makes the role even more rewarding,” Ebony said.

“We work closely together, supporting each other just as we support our customers. The customers get an individual banker but also a team that supports them closely, it’s a fantastic environment where we all work towards the same goal: helping customers succeed,” Julie said.

“The value that our lending team adds to our business is incredible, the service provided by our lending team is unmatched and we are grateful for the impact they have on the customers lives that are lucky enough to work with them and the subsequent growth of our business is an added bonus,” senior manager Jeremy Morris said. “The bank values inclusivity, collaboration, and empowering their staff, making it an exceptional place for professionals like Josie, Caitlyn, Julie, and Ebony to thrive and the clients of Community Bank are lucky to have them.”

Community Bank Winchelsea