Banking back in Palmwoods

BANKING has returned to Palmwoods, with the opening of a Heritage Building Society agency in Kolora Place.

Palmwoods residents have been left without a local banking facility since the closure of the ANZ Bank in April, after almost a century in the town.

Heritage, Queensland’s largest and Australia’s third largest building society, has expanded its network into Palmwoods with the opening of its agency in the corridor between Palmwoods Real Estate and Karen’s salon.

It will be open from 8.30am to 4.40pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30 to 5pm on Friday.

Full-time, trained bank staff Robyn Armstrong and Pamela Goodfellow will ensure that the Heritage agency offers all the facilities of a regular bank and convenient access to the society’s financial services.

Heritage’s Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Business Development Manager Doug McDougall said the Palmwoods agency would provide Heritage with broad exposure to the hinterland.

"The Sunshine Coast experienced growth this year, with industries such as tourism, hospitality and agriculture injecting much needed investment into the community," he said.

"Palmwoods forms part of a coastal growth corridor with Nambour to the north and Buderim to the east. We believe our new agency will provide vital support to this area."

Mr McDougall said that with the recent introduction of the Heritage Mortgage Buster, Palmwoods residents could take the opportunity to reassess their mortgage options.

"We are proud to now be able to provide Palmwoods with Heritage’s quality range of financial products and personalised service," Mr McDougall said.

"Our agency offers a range of accounts and a computer link with Heritage which means customers won’t have to go any further for the full range of online facilities as well as lending and investment options."

The arrival of Heritage to fill a void in Palmwoods business, has been welcomed by the Palmwoods Progress Association.

"At least one of the financial institutions have out themselves out to help the people of Palmwoods," president Ron Corelli said. "I am sure it will be a great help to the people at the Palmwoods Sundale retirement village."

Mr Corelli said many people who had been left with no alternative but to travel to Nambour and other areas after the closure of the ANZ, could now return to Palmwoods.

"The move should also be supported by local retailers as it will help keep business in Palmwoods," he said. "Many people would take all the rest of their business with them when they went to other centres to bank."