Our Story

BDCU began in 1963, when co-workers at Southern Portland Cement in Berrima pooled their savings to help colleagues who couldn’t access credit. That simple act of collective action still defines us today.

From those beginnings, we’ve grown into the BDCU Group — encompassing to The Collective Impact and Community Bank BDCU.

Our purpose is clear: to create local opportunity and choice for the communities we serve. We back initiatives that support accommodation, employment, and wellbeing because we believe people should be able to live, work, and thrive in the regions they call home.

Every decision, program, and investment we make is driven by one commitment: helping local people build stability, security, and opportunity.

The Collective Impact — a local, member-owned social enterprise of more than 10,000 members — delivers meaningful economic and social change. This includes essential worker housing, wellbeing initiatives, community programs, grants, and partnerships across the region.

Community Bank BDCU — a franchise of Bendigo Bank, owned by members of The Collective Impact — is a profit-for-purpose business that keeps money working locally. When you bank with us, your everyday banking generates profits that fuel The Collective Impact’s programs, strengthening connection, wellbeing, and resilience across our community.

What began as neighbours helping neighbours has grown into a strong, purpose-driven mutual committed to creating lasting economic and social benefit for the places we call home.