An upcoming survey will closely examine the level of community support for a Community Bank® in Canowindra. The steering committee behind the Canowindra Community Bank® Branch campaign have appointed AFS Chartered Accountants to undertake the survey.
Steering Committee Chair Cheryl Newsom said, “Canowindra residents, traders and business owners had already come out strongly in support of establishing the Community Bank® branch, by pledging to become shareholders in the locally-owned company.”
“In this next stage, we will be asking people a range of questions to get a full understanding of their support and commitment towards a Community Bank® branch,” Cheryl said.
“Potential customers and investors will also have the opportunity to meet with the consultants face-to-face to discuss their individual needs and interest in supporting a locally-owned branch.”
Cheryl said it was important the consultants and Bendigo Bank were provided with sufficient evidence that the Canowindra Community Bank® Branch would attract the required support from the community, including banking with the proposed branch to make it profitable.
“More than $780,000 in pledges of support is a good indication that a Community Bank® branch in Canowindra would be viable,” she said.
“However, we need to confirm this support, understand the community‘s motives for wanting a Community Bank® branch and find out who is willing to move their banking across to our new branch, before we can move forward with the project.”
Cheryl said the survey was confidential and neither Bendigo Bank nor committee members had access to the individual survey responses.
“All of the surveys will be sent directly to the consultants, who will collate the information and present it to us via a formal report. The results of the survey will provide our committee with the information required to make a decision about whether a Community Bank® branch in Canowindra would be supported and viable.
“Thus it is crucial we have as many local residents, business people, traders and community groups as possible take part in the survey.”