Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank model has delivered a record $50.2 million of investment for community strengthening projects over the last financial year, an increase of more than 23 per cent compared to the previous year.

The unique model, which ensures a portion of the profits from each Community Bank are returned to the community, has helped fund laptop and literacy programs in primary schools, lifesaving rescue equipment in surf clubs, emergency housing for older women, and a new specialist clinical cancer nurse at a regional hospital for 12 months.

“Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank model funded more than 9320 on-the-ground projects in communities around the country over the last financial year,” head of community banking, Justine Minne said.

“More than $416 million has now been returned to communities via donations, grants, scholarships and sponsorships since the inception of the Community Bank model in 1998.

“The Community Bank model has grown from a concept designed to empower communities at risk of losing face-to-face banking services to a network of more than 300 branches. There is nothing quite like this in Australia.”

In FY25, Community Bank funding helped deliver 9327 projects, including through its branch at Narrandera.