www.awnw.com.au
Issue #240 – Wednesday, 9 July, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
History road front and centre It may be off the map, but the old Hume Highway is far from forgotten thanks to a new group -- Old Hume Highway 31. FOR THE FULL STORY TURN TO PAGE 6
Wheels of hay and hope Robert Turnbull, right, and the farmers of Lightning Ridge couldn’t be more appreciative of the hay donated by the people of the Border region and the truckies from far and wide. See pages 2 and 3 for the full story.
A total of 33 trucks and $700,000 worth of hay heading for 105 struggling farmers.
Locals’ bank AFTER many years of planning, the region’s own local financial institution opened its doors on 26 June as Hume Bank. From humble beginnings 59 years ago, Hume is now large enough to become Australia’s 22nd bank, Hume Bank. “This is huge recognition of the support Hume receives from the local community,” Hume Bank chairman Michael Gobel said.
“Almost 50 per cent of many of the towns we are in, bank with us and it is this loyal following that has allowed us to become big enough to become Hume Bank.” In recent years, a number of credit unions and building societies have changed their name to include ‘bank’ in recognition of a better understanding of the term bank when compared to building society or credit union.
Hume will be the 11th mutual bank in Australia. “The staff have new uniforms, our collateral, a new logo, our branches new signs - but everything else remains the same,” Hume Bank CEP Andrew Saxby said. “I have been asked ‘why are we changing?’ - and my answer is very simple, Hume is who we are, Bank is what we do. “With a name that better explains
our offering, we will be able to expand our branch network and offer more people a real alternative to the major banks. “We will not be issuing shares and we will not be listing on the stock exchange. We will remain owned by those who bank with us.” “In times of increasing change, organisations must remain relevant and this is one way we are achieving that.”
Hume Bank loans receptionist Cathy Clark with the new Hume Bank signage.
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