Community Banks serving the community

Community Banks including at Portarlington and Drysdale are part of a unique banking franchise model started in 1998 by Bendigo Bank.

The first one was at Minyup Rupanyup in Victoria and, incredibly, there are now more than 300 Community Bank Branches right across Australia.

There are two branches under the Bellarine Community Bank model, which started in Portarlington 25 years ago next year.

There is a local board overseeing the business on behalf of shareholders and customers, and the amazing staff look after more than 7,000 customers right across the Bellarine.

Bellarine Community Bank support its communities through its numerous partnerships and grant programs, with more than $300 million shared back across Australia since 1998.

Our new state of the art branch in Drysdale was completed at the end of 2021 and has a unique local art display featuring local Bellarine artists. It also has a pop-up shop where local businesses can display and promote their products.

A major project this year was a collaborative effort with five local Community Banks getting together to provide $60,000 for a local organisation; the amazin’g Wombats Wish.

Come and see the team in their branches, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram at “Community Bank Bellarine” to share their story.