But, Regional Australia Bank’s Community Partnership Program is attempting to give some financial support to the teams that support the area.

The program, now in its ninth year, reached $840,000 in donations this year.

Money is donated to the different groups, depending on who new bank customers choose when they open a transaction account and select which group they would like to support. Regional Australia Bank then calculates the average annual balance of all supporters’ accounts and donates 1 per cent of the total to the cause on the customers’ behalf – all without costing them a cent.

With more and more people getting on board, the Community Partnership Program has continued to grow at over 30% per year – and this year, the total amount has edged ever closer to the million dollar mark, with $840,000 of funds ready to donate to various local grass roots clubs and community groups.

At Muswellbrook’s recent Community Partnership presentations event, Regional Australia Bank awarded $22,508.29 to the local community.

United Hospital Auxiliary of NSW Inc – Muswellbrook District Hospital, Muswellbrook Rugby League Football Club Inc, Muswellbrook Mens Shed, Muswellbrook High School P&C Association, and the Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music were just a few of the groups to receive a donation.

Over the past few years, the bank has been able to contribute more than $1.5 million dollars to community groups.

The bank’s goal for the Community Partnership Program is to reach $1 million in donations to local communities in 2018, and is inviting regional Australians to get on board.