Bank booms

FOUR months after opening, the community response to the Tooradin and coastal villages branch of Bendigo Bank has been outstanding, branch manager Darryl Sutcliffe says.
It has been a strong start for the branch that has achieved $16 million in banking business, and has opened more than 600 accounts.
The branch opened on 8 May and has been well received by locals, who no longer have to travel to Cranbourne for their banking needs.
Mr Sutcliffe said he was grateful to the local community for their outstanding support so far, and credited the members of the steering committee for their tireless behind-the-scenes work in the years before the branch opened.
“A bank is an important part of any local community, and it is refreshing to focus my energy in a community that is passionate about its history, recent achievements and future opportunities,” Mr Sutcliffe said.
“As business at Tooradin branch grows, so too will the benefits to the community.”
Mr Sutcliffe said the layout was designed to promote a welcoming and engaging environment that allowed customers to choose how they interacted with the bank.
“I am mindful that when customers come into a branch it’s because they want to speak to one of our staff and by providing more meeting spaces and introducing new technology we can ensure our staff can attend to customers quickly, provide expert advice and even better service,” he said.