BENDIGO Bank’s Northam agency was officially opened on March 16 by Member for Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies.
More than 50 people attended the opening at the Bob Davey Real Estate office at 150 Fitzgerald Street.
The Northam agency will initially be owned and operated by Toodyay and District Community Bank branch as they have the existing infrastructure to support the move.
Initial opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am-3pm.
Toodyay and District Community Bank branch manager Don Bates said it had taken two years to reach the point of opening, with plenty of hassles and bumps along the way, but the dream was finally realised.
“The Northam site will start as an agency, and if enough people begin banking, we plan to grow into a sub-branch,” he said.
Mr Bates said local business and tradespeople were easy to work with given their enthusiasm for the project.
“With Bob Davey and staff, right from the first minute it has been ‘yes’,” Mr Bates said.
“The bank will offer clients friendly service and it also provides an opportunity to support the community.”
The bank will deliver a share of its profits to local community projects, events or organisations.
Ms Davies called the opening of the Bendigo Bank agency a red letter day for Northam.
“It’s not every day a new bank opens in town,” Ms Davies said.
“Too often we see things removed instead of added.
“I know it has been a concerted effort to bring a Bendigo Bank here – it takes persistence to get what you want.”
Ms Davies’ predecessor Max Trenorden, who attended the event, was paid tribute to during the opening ceremony.
Mr Trenorden helped bring the first Bendigo Bank to Western Australia at Kulin in 1999.
Mr Trenorden was the head of a taskforce examining the impact of bank closures on the rural community.
“It is absolutely right to acknowledge him,” Ms Davies said.
Member for the Agricultural Region Paul Brown called the Northam Bendigo Bank agency a boost in confidence for the town.
The ribbon was cut by Ms Davies at 5.40pm, with food and drink served throughout the launch.