Right: A large number of community groups received grants from the Upwey and District Community Bank last year.IN MARCH 1998, the Commonwealth Bank closed its doors in Upwey leaving the township without a bank.
A committee was quickly established through the facilitation of the Upwey Village Consultative Committee to obtain another banking outlet in Upwey which was the beginning of the Community Bank.
Upwey and District Community Finance Limited commenced trading as the Upwey and District Community Bank in October 1998 and was the second of the Community Bank franchises to open its doors to the public in Australia.
The bank continues to steadily increase its annual net profit and business volume, which is now around $235 million with over 14,500 accounts.
This strong growth prompted the board to expand into neighbouring townships of Belgrave and Cockatoo in September 2005 and establish ATM facilities in Olinda, Marysville and Gembrook to service the needs of these townships, which have a large volume of tourist traffic and limited banking facilities.
The company gives a significant portion of its profits to community groups within its business catchment on an annual basis.
To date it has allocated over $560,000 to a wide and diverse range of community groups throughout the Dandenong Ranges.
This has enabled and empowered a wide range of community, education, health and sporting clubs to enhance their operations and facilities, and in turn provide skill development opportunities, better facilities and services for the local communities.
Upwey Community Bank is at 30-32 Main Street, Upwey. Phone 9754 1200.
