Branch turns 15 as Woombye banks on generosity

From left, Branch Manager Hayley Saunders with Board Members Margaret Sweeney, Jill Kuramoto, Alison Kruger and Chairman Stephen Marshall.

It is shaping up to be a big year for the Woombye Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank. 

“In addition to turning 15 years old this month, our staff and board members just hosted a gifting event where we returned another $20,000 back to the local community,” said Woombye Community Bank Branch Manager, Hayley Saunders. 

This giveaway isn’t a first for the Woombye Community Bank. In the 15 years since they opened the Bank has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support to the region. Recipients include The Woombye Bowls Club, Woombye Community Library, Woombye State School, Sunshine Valley Men’s Shed, Nambour PCYC, 2nd Light Horse Regiment Woombye Troop and many more. 

“I love the philanthropic component of working for the organisation,” Ms Saunders said . 

“I love knowing that the work I do every day has a positive effect on the entire community. Because of the way we operate, we contribute directly to the growth and wellbeing of the Woombye town and its people.”

Hayley says that the most enjoyable part of the job is helping customers to buy a property, or to save money by restructuring their current loans. 

“It can be a bit scary at the moment for our home loan customers, with rising rates and cost of living,” she said. 

“For the next two months we are offering a Home Loan Health Check for any locals who have a home loan with another financial institution. We’d love to see if we can help you save by converting to a better product”. 

To celebrate their birthday, the staff and board members said thank you to locals and customers by hosting two coffee events in town. 

“This generated a lot of conversation and some great new friendships.” 

• Call into the Woombye branch at 1a/33 Blackall St, Woombye if you’d like to talk about a new way of banking.