Community Bank Elmore, Lockington, and Rochester senior branch manager James Pietromonaco.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Community Banks in Elmore, Lockington, Rochester, Rushworth, and Tongala operate as local franchises of Bendigo Bank, providing a full range of banking services including everyday banking, home lending, business banking, agribusiness lending and more.
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While so much banking can now be done online, there’s still real value in having access to quality, face-to-face service from local people who genuinely care about their communities.
Community Banks understand that getting into a branch isn’t always convenient, so teams are happy to meet customers at a time and place that suits them.
Community Bank Elmore, Lockington, and Rochester senior branch manager James Pietromonaco brings more than 12 years of experience with Bendigo Bank across consumer banking.
“I started my career in customer service before progressing into lending, which has given me a broad understanding of our customers and their banking needs,” he said.
Mr Pietromonaco said the role offered rewards beyond the counter.
“I love helping our customers achieve their goals, whether that's buying a home, growing a business or simply making their everyday banking easier,” he said.
“Even better is knowing that by helping our customers, we’re also helping our community as a whole.”
Community Bank Rushworth and Tongala senior branch manager Hamish Urquhart brings more than 15 years of banking experience, beginning with NAB under a cadetship at age 18.
Community Bank Rushworth and Tongala senior branch manager Hamish Urquhart.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
He has since worked across finance and insurance broking, mortgage broking, and Queensland Country Bank, and holds a Bachelor of Finance and Economics completed with distinction.
“The absolute best part of my job is the genuine connection to our community,” Mr Urquhart said.
“With Bendigo Bank’s unique model, we aren’t just a place to deposit money; we are actively feeding profit back into local projects, sporting clubs, and infrastructure.”
He said leading his local teams and working with community partners to help the towns thrive was “incredibly rewarding”.
“Every day, I get to see the direct, positive impact our banking has on Rushworth and Tongala,” he said.
Community Banks are proud to keep banking services and local jobs in towns, while returning up to 80 per cent of profits back to the community.
It means that when locals choose to bank with Community Banks, the benefits flow well beyond the individual customer.
The local board of directors determines where that funding is directed, helping ensure it reaches a broad range of local needs and initiatives, from education and sport to the arts, community groups and essential services.
To date, Community Banks in Elmore, Lockington, Rochester, Rushworth and Tongala have contributed more than $7.8 million into the local communities.
