• From left: Belinda Grundy, Barbara Hanley, Kim Stevenson and Jenny Young. The team at Pambula & District Community Bank, Bendigo Bank.
A new sponsor has joined the ranks of backers for the 2012 Excellence in Eden Business Awards and their support could not be more timely or welcome.
Pambula & District Community Bank, Bendigo Bank, confirmed last week they are pleased to be a major sponsor of the awards and have committed to sponsorship in future years.
Manager Kim Stevenson said the bank’s role in the awards is a good fit for them.
“We believe in helping local businesses and the Eden business awards is something that the whole community can benefit from, including shop keepers, the owners of those businesses and the people who work in them. So for us to be involved in a community event like this is what we are all about,” Mrs Stevenson said on Friday.
“We have a lot of customers that come from Eden, just as we have customers from Bermagui to Bombala and all points in between across the Bega Valley.
“We read a lot about the awards two years ago when it was first held. We know it’s a huge event in Eden and just to be involved in it this time around, we’re thrilled to be part of it.”
According to Mrs Stevenson, Pambula & District Community Bank, Bendigo Bank have already reinvested over $100,000 back into the local community since they opened just over three and a half years ago.
“Being a community bank our profits must stay local. That certainly does make us different to the big banks. Up to 80 per cent of our profit must go back to the local community,” she said.
The community bank now has over $70million in total business and the business is turning over a good profit according to manager Kim.
“In the next two years of trading there’s no reason why we wouldn’t have $100m in total business which means even more money going back into the community.”
“I would say it’s very positive for a little community bank situated in Pambula.”
