Concit Ensuring our Future
Concit Ensuring our Future

Bendigo Bank Closed down “Concerned Citizens” Bank Account

The Bendigo Bank fiasco all started when a group of Bendigo citizens heard about plans to build a huge new mosque in their city. Concerned that a mosque would change the social fabric of Bendigo a Facebook page was set up “stop the Mosque in Bendigo. The point of the page was to act as an information hub on the planned development and a resource portal on Islam. There were very few vertical pages on the matter. The original person that set up the page handed it over to 5 admins who then serviced that focus,. However the pro mosque faction set about stopping the page and during those early stages there was much vilification and racist name calling of the page. It became known as a “hate page” simply for posting about the counter to the Australian values and behaviour of Islam.

 

It soon became apparent the growing numbers of supporters on the page that information leaflets needed to be distributed to the houses around the mosque so that they could make informed decisions on whether  to object or not.

The page decided to call for donations to assist with photo coping Objection packs. A group was formed—an unlisted association called “Concerned Citizens” who approached the local Bendio Bank in Bendigo to set up a bank account to deposit donations raise for photocopying. THe bank details were then put on the Stop the Mosque Fave Book page.

However within two weeks their treasure received a phone call from The Bendigo Bank Manager of Retail Banking—Chris Bone who informed the Treasurer of Concerned Citizens that Bendigo Bank would be closing their account.

LINK: Bendigo Bank Info as a pdf (10 pages as shown)

 

The bank closed the Concerned Citizens account, stating that it did not meet the “Bank’s Community Standards”. This certainly raised a few eyebrows, because the Bendigo Bank markets itself as a Community Bank!

When news of the account closure got out over Facebook it created a huge backlash against the bank. To date, depositors have closed their accounts to the tune of at least $60 million, and many investors have divested themselves of their stock in the bank. The drain has not ended yet. In fact, it is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, the bank has stood firm on its decision, claiming the moral high ground. What a shame they can’t understand that We the People can see right through the sham.

In an effort to counter the bad publicity that its actions caused the Bank put up a statement on its Facebook Page:

“In response to recent questions and commentary regarding our decision to close an account. This was a considered decision by our Bank, and we respect everyone’s right to voice their opinions. Equally we have a right to ours, and we want to do business with organisations whose values align with our own. Our Bank values tolerance and inclusiveness, qualities which are an important part of a strong community. This is the only comment we will be making here on this matter. —Jeanette”

This only served to upset even more people. They flocked to the Stop the Bendigo Mosque Facebook page to voice their displeasure. They also vented their anger on the Bendigo Bank page where some of the comments were, shall we say, less than pleasant.

The account closure prompted the members of the Concerned Citizens group to start digging into the reasons behind it. Working to the old maxim, “follow the money” they soon started to yield results.

While they were digging into the Bendigo Bank’s motives the Concerned Citizens group was not giving up. They approached National Australia Bank (NAB), only to find that the bank declined to open a bank account for them. Not surprising really, as the group quickly learned that NAB is a major shareholder in the Bendigo Bank through its wholly owned subsidiary National Nominees.

So Concerned Citizens went to the Commonwealth Bank. To their surprise they found that the CBA also refused to open an account for them as did Bank Macquarie, and Westpac —all claiming a values clash.

 

Where indeed?

Finally their accountant offered Concerned Citizens the use of one of his accounts at the Macquarie Bank. But their joy was short lived. They quickly found that this account was closed as well and the accountant also lost his standing with that bank as a result. Their first inkling came when they tried to log into the online banking facility only to find that there was no account to log into. When their accountant asked the bank what had happened they told him they had closed the account. However, they did promise that they would mail him the cheque for the missing money.

A supporter has revealed that the Macquarie is handling the sale of the Rural Finance Corporation for the State of Victoria, and that the Bendigo Bank is the only buyer in a no tender no public offering tender sale.

The supporter also found that J.P Morgan had advised the Victorian Government not to go to tender. Strange indeed, until it was found that J.P Morgan is also a shareholder in the Bendigo Bank!

The Bendigo Bank started the ball rolling that has sparked a chain-reaction throughout the banking system. Now, all the banks have closed ranks to protect themselves against We the People, not understanding that we have the power to stop them dead in their tracks and uncover every bit of dirt on them there is. They have prodded the tiger and now we are baring our teeth.

Not surprisingly, the Politicians will only side with the perceived winners, and to date that has been the Banks. However, this is likely to change. We the People are uniting as the murky facts in this distasteful drama are pealed back, layer by stinking layer.

 

Bendigo Bank CEO Mike Hirst

Mike Hirst, the Bendigo Bank’s CEO, tried to explain to Kent Baylay of the Gold Coast Sentinel in an “off the record” interview that was later uploaded to the internet that the bank made a morally based decision against a group they considered a bunch of racists.

Mike Hirst didn’t let the facts get in the way of his attempted whitewash. Like just about everything that come out of his mouth he appeared less than truthful, to use the words of Dr. Alexander Douglas MP.

Dr. Douglas deserves the title The Honourable Member for Gaven in Queensland for his revelations on the Alan Jones radio show exposing the extent of the corruption within the banking and political systems of Australia.

As a result of his revelations the true facts are emerging and we are connecting the dots. The Bendigo Bank has been lying through its collective teeth…and then some.

It transpires that the property that surrounds the intended site of the Mosque in Bendigo is actually owned by a company controlled by an ex-Director of the Bendigo Bank and Chairman of Bendigo Telco. Mr. Don Erskine with his son Mark are involved in the Brickworks development.

At first glance, it looks like closing the Concerned Citizens account was just a favour done by Mike Hirst and the Board of Directors of the Bendigo Bank for an old friend. Obviously, they wanted to silence any opposition. After all, what is the small matter of closing a customer’s bank account when weighed against a $4 Million windfall?

Bend Over Bendigo Bank, the dhimmi bank

Next, the Concerned Citizens found out that the Bendigo City Council is about to sit in Chambers to discuss re-zoning all that land to high density residential.

The land owner and his partners stand to make a SUBSTANTIAL capital gain out of that deal. No wonder this mosque application has generated so much controversy.

Once the mosque is built hundreds, if not thousands more Muslims will move into the area. They will want somewhere to live: And where better than right next door to the mosque?

Perhaps this explains why the mosque application proposes such a LARGE facility. It’s not just for the few dozen Muslims living in Bendigo today. They are planning on building up a substantial Islamic presence there.

Thirdly is was finally uncovered that Sandhurst Trustees owned by Bendigo are the Trustees for One of Australia’s largest Sharia Lending groups MCCA. With $30,000,000 funds under management, Bendigo bank had a vested interest in Islam. Along with the Mosque account which was with the Bendigo Bank.

What does this mean for the local residents?

Well, as we have already seen, if your business or group dares go against the plans of this mob you will be targeted, just as the Concerned Citizens Group were, and told to take your business elsewhere. Of course, they will make sure that it is just as impossible to open a new business or bank account, as the Concerned Citizens Group has. Since being rejected by the Bendigo Bank they have been unable to open a new account at any bank in Bendigo!