Pledges beat bank target

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE Community Bank steering committee was celebrating a major achievement last week as pledges from two community organisations pushed its campaign for a Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank over its target of $750,000.
Both the Rotary Club of Healesville and Healesville Football Club members showed that their New Year resolution was very firmly in support of establishing a community bank in their town.
Committee chairman Gary Slater welcomed the support of Rotary and the HFC members who join hundreds of Healesville residents, businesses and organisations who have indicated their willingness to become shareholders in a locally owned bank by pledging their support.
Mr Slater said the level of banking business would now come under the microscope with the launch of a feasibility study in February.
Independent consultant “AFS “ has been appointed to undertake the feasibility study.
“We can have all the community spirit in the world, but this venture must be seen to be commercially viable if it is going to be a success,” Mr Slater said.
He said thousands of confidential survey forms would be mailed out to homes and businesses in the 3777 post-code district asking people what level of banking business they would consider bringing across to Healesville Community Bank Branch.
“There will also be face-to-face interviews with potential customers to provide the consultant and Bendigo Bank with further data as to the interest in this concept,” he said.
Mr Slater said $750,000 in pledges of support was a strong indicator that a Community Bank branch would be viable and added that share pledges were still being taken as the campaign proceeds.
He said the feasibility stage of the campaign was to determine not only how many locals would be prepared to bank with Healesville Community Bank branch, but the level of banking business they have, and the extent that they would be prepared to commit to the local bank branch.
Mr Slater said the survey was strictly confidential with all survey information being collated by the consultant and presented in the form of a business forecast.
“It is from these figures that our committee and Bendigo Bank, will make a decision on whether or not to proceed with a Community Bank,” he said.
“That is why it is crucial to have as many local residents, business people and traders as possible take part in the survey. It is anonymous with no name required”.
“Anyone who supports the concept of a community-owned bank is urged to take 10 minutes to complete a survey form when it arrives in your letterbox.” Mr Slater said.