Businesses and residents can bank in Blackheath again with the opening of a Bendigo Bank agency this week.
The agency is in the Blackheath Newsagency of Doug and Janette Forsyth.
At the opening on Monday, president of the Chamber of Commerce, George Vergotis, cut the ribbon and then joined with Bendigo chairman, Robert Stock, to cut the cake.
The red velvet cake, made by board member Jenny Ross, involved an entire bottle of red food colouring, she said, warning of potential hyperactivity for those indulging.
Mr Stock said the agency will be great for the town.
“We’re all part of the one Upper Mountains community and we saw the gap in the services provided to Blackheath and thought something needed to happen to keep retail and the community vibrant,” he said.
“Because without banking services in a town - it’s a big loss.”
Mrs Forsyth said she was “delighted” the branch was finally open, although it was only eight weeks ago when the idea was first floated.
Katoomba branch manager Brigitte Mackenzie said the eight-week period was probably one of the fastest turnarounds in setting up a new bank agency.
The agency’s opening hours will on Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm and from 9am-noon on Saturdays.
Mrs Forsyth, who has been trained by Bendigo, will be able to handle deposits, withdrawals and transfers as well as opening new accounts and updating existing ones.