Local infrastructure investments signal Companion commitment to Hunter

Local infrastructure investments signal Companion commitment to Hunter Growing demand in the Hunter region has prompted Companion Credit Union to invest close to $1 million to upgrade and expand its branches in Cessnock and Glendale and relocate its regional administration office to Maitland.

A division of the Community CPS Australia Group, Companion has signalled its strong commitment to the region by moving its Cessnockbranch to a brand new site in the Cessnock Centre, Cooper Street - only minutes from the town’s main shopping precinct. Meanwhile the existing Glendale branch has been refurbished, and like the new premises in Cessnock it now features spacious and modern consulting areas and direct access to the Companion Account Information Line and Internet banking on site.

Hunter based General Manager of Distribution Ray O’Brien says the branch upgrades were part of the credit union’s commitment to improving services to members.

“Our brand new branch in Cessnock features state-of-the-art-technology and will better support. The needs of the growing region and the demand for credit union services,” he said. “Our business has been steadily increasing as we welcome new members to the credit union, so it was essential for us to expand and upgrade both branches to provide the premium experience our members deserve.

“The operating hours and friendly faces remain the same, just in a new-look branch which we’re confident all our members will enjoy visiting.” Companion has recently moved its regional administration office from Cessnock into a new, purpose built building at 212 High Street, Maitland.

“The new regional administration office site provides a modern open plan facility for our team of banking and finance specialists, who will be able to better service the needs of our local branch network, and ultimately our members, as we develop and roll out new products and services for our growing membership base here in the Hunter and beyond,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This expert team is an integral part of the Community CPS Group operations, supporting our national distribution network as we continue reinvesting our profits to provide the most relevant and convenient banking options to our members.”

The capital works program coincides with the launch of Companion’s iPhone app in January, and the release of Community CPS’ half-yearly results, which show year on year business growth of 5.5 per cent in the Companion operations, courtesy of increased member deposits and new lending activity.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CPS AUSTRALIA GROUP The Community CPS Australia Group is one of the largest customer owned financial institutions in Australia, with assets under management approaching $4 billion. The credit union employs 585 staff across 48 branches, servicing more than 180,000 members. Community CPS is located in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and operates as Wagga Mutual Credit Union in Wagga Wagga, Companion Credit Union in the Hunter Valley and United Community in Western Australia. The Group comprises activities in banking, the community (through the Community CPS Foundation) and professional services (wealth management, tax and accounting services via Eastwoods). For more information visit www.companion.com.au or www.communitycps.com.au