Noel Wisbey, Company Chairman started the meeting by introducing the Board of Directors, and Senior Management; in particular welcoming John Blue as the new Manager in Bungendore. Noel acknowledged the sudden passing of Doug Smith and the valuable contribution he made to our community as a whole and not just our company. Palerang Financial Services has pledged $50,000 pledge to start up the Doug Smith Appeal for the Dementia Friendly Campaign for the Braidwood Hospital.

Mr Wisbey reported that "While company profits fell below the forecast budget throughout the period of the Global Financial Crisis, overall the company made a profit and grew in the financial year, allowing for a 4 cent fully franked dividend payment for Shareholders." said Mr Wisbey.

Allan Donnelly invited 7 other Community groups to give a 2 minute presentation on the funding they had received from their Community Bank and how it had benefited their organisation as well as the wider Community they supported.

With the Community Banks growing and providing over $76,000 back to the Palerang Community last financial year. Mr Wisbey said that the banks are budgeted to provide $120,000 in community funding for this financial year with a 50/50 Braidwood/Bungendore split.

In 2010 Palerang Financial Services will purchase the Bungendore premises.

Craig Pettit, Manager of the Braidwood Branch, outlined the financials of the year noting the $1.15 million in income. "The Global Financial Crisis affected us" he said, "margins were slashed, but the good news is we came out of it very well."

Mr Pettit also made special mention of last week, when the bank "passed a milestone of $150 million invested between the two branches."

"We're the biggest in the region and in the top half dozen in the state" he said. "Braidwood's ATM was the third most profitable in the state last month."