Orange bank manager Matt Eades said across the state, all branches would give $500 back to the community to help not-for-profit organisations and charities.

“There are no other companies in Australia that are 200 years old, and there are only a few banks that are 200 years old, so we’re only one of a few that have lasted that long. So we want to give back to local communities, and give a local organisation a bit of a leg up of some sort depending on what they need,” he said.

To apply for the $500, groups need to contact Mr Eades with details about the group and how it would spend the money.

The decision as to who gets the money will be made at the Orange level.

“We’ll be deciding who receives the money here in the Orange branch,” Mr Eades said.

“We have great staff here that have a lot of ties to community groups, and we would prefer a home grown community group, or any charity that is here in Orange, to apply for the funds.”

Mr Eades said that the bank wasn’t concerned how any group spent the money. 

“We give them the cash and they do with it what they please,” he said.

“We’re not controlling that, we just want to help them, they’ve told us how they’re going to use it and we trust that they will use it that way given that they’re a charity or non-profit.”

To apply, call Matt Eades on 6360 7511 or email matthew.eades@westpac.com.au.

mark.logan@fairfaxmedia.com.au