Kwinana bank marks first birthday

Happy customers and staff celebrated a successful first year of the Kwinana Community Bank on Saturday.

The Kwinana branch of Bendigo Bank celebrated its first birthday with the City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams cutting the cake.

Shareholders, community members and staff attended to commemorate the milestone with Bendigo Bank’s mascot Piggy joining the festivities.

The bank also awarded 10 community groups each a $500 grant on the day.

Community groups to receive a grant included Leda Primary School, Kwinana Heritage group, All Sorts Netball Club and the Wandi Progress Association.

Chairman of the board John Iriks said that by giving the $500 grants the bank could spread the cheer a lot wider and help more community organisations.

“The more banking that occurs the more profit we can put back into the community,” he said.

It took 3 1/2 years of planning before the bank first opened with the help of 330 Kwinana shareholders.

“It was quite exciting when we did finally open and so far it’s going well,” Mr Iriks said.

“It was set up by Kwinana volunteers who did it to benefit their community with 80 per cent of profits going back into local organisations.”