Plans for the Coronation Street branch have been underway since last October and staff from BCU Pottsville have already begun visiting local businesses to say G’day and get to know what the town really wants from its first financial institution.

BCU Chief Executive, Lyndon Kingston, said the new branch would work with existing branches in Murwillumbah, South Tweed Heads and BCU’s Mudgeeraba lending centre to provide convenient banking for the people of Pottsville.

“Sharon, Steve, Eloise, Erroll and the team from BCU Pottsville have been out meeting with Pottsville’s business owners, asking what they want from their banking,” Mr Kingston said.

“It’s important that we provide services that are relevant to the town – there’s no point us coming in and dictating how we will operate in the town – we want people to tell us what they need. We also want to know what Pottsville groups or community organisations need a helping hand – if there’s something that needs doing in the town that has tangible benefits for the town we want people to tell us,” he said.

“We are looking to form a partnership with the people of Pottsville,” Mr Kingston said.

“We want to support them, by bringing the fair go back into banking, by providing simply, convenient products and services and by committing to the community. I really hope the people of Pottsville support BCU in return, so we can continue providing these services and reinvesting in the local community.”

BCU was started 40 years ago by banana growers in Macksville, a small rural town south of Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast.

“We were founded by farmers, who couldn’t borrow money from the banks of the day,” Mr Kingston said. “All they wanted was a fair go – and that’s still what BCU is about – fair go, no fuss banking with fairer fees and competitive products.”

He said BCU and the Pottsville branch staff were excited to settle into the town.

“I know Sharon McGiffen couldn’t wait for the branch to open – she’s a Pottsville girl through and through and is thrilled to bring BCU to her home town,” Mr Kingston said.