This year marks a special milestone for Summerland Bank: 60 years of proudly serving the communities of Northern Rivers, NSW. Since our founding in 1964, we’ve remained dedicated to customer-owned, community-focused banking. This anniversary presented the perfect opportunity to celebrate our journey and give back to the communities that have always supported us.
A legacy built on community-first banking
Summerland Bank was established with a clear vision — to create a bank that understands and serves the unique needs of its community. For six decades, we’ve woven ourselves into the fabric of Northern Rivers, adapting to changing landscapes while staying true to our mission of better banking and stronger communities.
As our CEO, John Williams, beautifully put it:
“Celebrating our 60th anniversary is about honouring our purpose-led approach to banking. At Summerland Bank, we believe in reciprocity — that by supporting one another, we can create a thriving, resilient community. We’re grateful for the trust our customers have placed in us over the years, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.”
A celebration of gratitude and connection
To mark this diamond anniversary, we have been hosting a series of in-branch birthday parties across October and November, transforming our spaces into festive hubs where our customers and local communities can gather and celebrate. Featuring our popular Wheel of Good Fortune with cash prizes, local product giveaways, delicious food, and family-friendly entertainment, the events have been a joyful way to say thank you and celebrate with the people who’ve been part of our journey.
Each celebration has been uniquely tailored to reflect the spirit of our local branches. In Bangalow, we paired live music with wood-fired pizzas from Common People Brewery. In Grafton, we joined the vibrant Jacaranda Festival among stunning purple blooms, while Ballina saw us getting involved with the Rotary Duck Race community fun day. Each location brings its own special flair, making it a joy to connect with our customers across the Northern Rivers.
We still have one more branch party at the end of the month. To join in the fun, see here for further details.
Continuing the celebration with the 60 days on us campaign
We invite community members to join in the fun and get involved in our ongoing birthday cheer. As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, we’ve also launched the ‘60 Days on Us’ campaign to help ease the financial load for both new and existing customers. This initiative covers essential expenses like fuel, groceries, self-care, and morning coffees for 60 days. It’s our way of giving back and spreading joy during this special time of year.
Additionally in the month of December, we will be welcoming our first 60 new account holders with a $60 cash gift as a special thank you for joining the Summerland family.
Reflecting on a year of transformation and looking ahead
This diamond anniversary comes during a pivotal year for Summerland Bank. From transitioning to a customer-owned bank and rebranding, to rebuilding our Lismore head office after the 2022 floods and obtaining B Corporation Certification, we’ve been on a journey of growth and renewal. We’ve seen significant loan growth and record profits, and we’re excited about our recent announcement to merge with Regional Australia Bank — a move that promises even greater benefits for our members and communities.
As we look back on our 60-year journey, we’re filled with gratitude for the people who’ve been with us along the way. This celebration is not just about honouring our past but also looking forward to the future we’re building together — one where community-first, customer-owned banking makes a lasting impact.
Join us in the ongoing celebration
The party isn’t over yet! We invite you to continue celebrating with us by participating in the ‘60 Days on Us’ campaign or by visiting your local branch to join in the birthday cheer or learn more about our ongoing initiatives.
Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to many more years of growing, thriving, and celebrating together.
Image credit – IndyNR.com
