Cockburn Community Bank Project

Launched in 2013, the Cockburn Community Bank Project blossomed from a desire within the community to give back to the community in a new way. A Steering Committee has been formed to investigate the establishment of a Community Bank branch for Cockburn. Cockburn encompasses 21 suburbs in Perth’s South-West and enjoys the benefits of the coastal, urban and suburban lifestyle. Our City has a proud indigenous history – the original inhabitants a tribe of Swan River Aborigines who made camps along the City’s chain of central wetlands. The establishment of Cockburn as a City grew from just a handful of European market-gardener migrants in the late 1800’s to what we have today - a growing, vibrant and culturally diverse community. The aim of the Cockburn Community Bank Project is to support the community to achieve its goals and aspirations. By pledging your support for the Cockburn Community Bank Project, you are directly supporting the future of our community. In fact, a Community Bank branch in our community will keep local money and local jobs in Cockburn and provide a continuous income stream for community projects and initiatives. What is a Community Bank Branch? The Community Bank initiative was developed by Bendigo Bank to provide communities with banking services and access to an ongoing source of local funding. Community Bank branches have opened in communities large and small, in metropolitan and rural areas. To make their branch a reality, communities like Cockburn form a locally owned company to obtain a commercial franchise to run a Bendigo Bank branch. While Bendigo Bank provides banking infrastructure and support, the community manages the branch marshals community support and returns profits to the local community. In short, a Community Bank branch means more than just banking services. It encourages collaboration and commitment and keeps local money and local jobs in the community. The capital required to start a Community Bank Branch is approximately $800,000. The capital is raised by individuals and businesses within the community purchasing shares in the local Company. During the pledge stage, all that is required is an indication of your intention to purchase shares - you can do this by completing a pledge form and returning it to one of the local return points.