Isn’t it just the way?

While the big banks are busy using the pandemic to close bush branches, the little guys are keeping on, keeping on, providing services for locals in the toughest of times.

Despite being shuttered for a fortnight after a recent potential COVID-19 close contact, Orange Credit Union has been announced as the only financial services organisation named as finalists in the 2021 Western Region Business Awards.

“It’s definitely nice to be nominated, though we haven’t won anything yet,” spokesperson Mel Monico said.

“This is the heart of what we do, we have to be flexible and adapt to the changing environment due to COVID-19,” she added.

Team Orange Credit Union were recognised as finalists in two categories – Outstanding Employer of Choice and Excellence in Business.

The Western NSW Business Awards recognise growth, entrepreneurship and celebrate business success from across the Central West, Orana and Far West regions. One of the most diverse regional economies, these three regions make a major contribution to the state’s economy through agribusiness, manufacturing, mining, tourism, health, education and food processing.

Chief Executive Officer, Andrew de Graaff, was pleased to trumpet the fact that the locally-owned credit union had been recognised as the only financial services group amongst the many diverse businesses and industries across the Western Region.

“This is an exciting development and is proof that our business strategy of putting customers before profits is a winning formula for us. Staying true to our original mission of ‘helping others to help themselves and each other’, while continuing to innovate and stay relevant to a changing economic environment to exceed customer expectations, is at the heart of what we do,” Mr de Graaff said.

Ms Monico pointed out that the nature of a credit union ensures that any profits made stay in the local community and are ploughed back into the business.

“We’re a mutual so any profits go back into the businesses. Those with accounts with us are not actually ‘customers’, they’re ‘shareholders’, with 100 per cent of what we make going into products, services, and our grants program for local groups in the community,” she added.

“For almost 60 years, Orange Credit Union has been helping people across the Orange region to not only reach their savings, investment and wealth creation goals, but to build their confidence with money matters. This is important as customers are empowered to sustain a good sense of financial wellness,” Mr de Graaff added.

“Considering the challenges presented by COVID-19, it is awesome for any local business to be recognised this way and especially for Orange Credit Union who, as an essential banking service, has remained flexible and adapted to the new operating environment to be able to continue to deliver exceptional customer service and support face to face and remotely,” Mr de Graaff

While the winners of the Western NSW Awards were to be announced remotely on Friday, September 17, a possible lifting of the current lockdowns has seen a change of plans.

“They’re now maybe planning – depending on how things go – to hold the event in person, in October,” Ms Monico said hopefully.

“It would be great if we could have the presentation with everyone there, but it will all depend on where things are at with the lockdowns and infection rates – we’ll just have to see,” Ms Monico said.