Our work with ANZ to increase financial inclusion
For over 17 years, ANZ has partnered with the Brotherhood of St Laurence to build high impact programs promoting financial wellbeing.
Saver Plus, MoneyMinded and Given the Chance have helped thousands of people to improve their financial position, gain skills and get work.
Michelle Commandeur, head of financial inclusion at ANZ, says the partnership started in 2003 when the bank began shifting its community investment focus to financial inclusion and wellbeing programs.
“The Brotherhood of St Laurence was one of the first organisations prepared to talk with the bank about money issues in the community and
how hardship and disadvantage leads to financial exclusion. Over the past decade the partnership has deepened and has included the recent addition of the ANZ Tony Nicholson Research Fellowship, launched in May 2019.
Volunteering opportunities for the ANZ workforce, payroll giving and sponsorship of the annual Sambell Oration have been other long-standing elements. Senior ANZ staff also consult with Brotherhood leaders over areas of mutual interest in the social policy space.
The bank has provided job opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum under the Given the Chance program and has supported the Brotherhood with program expansion.
“The depth of the partnership we have with the Brotherhood is unique. This includes co-designing Saver Plus – from the early pilot to the hugely impactful program it is today. ANZ and the Brotherhood share intellectual property and all decisions are jointly made,” says Michelle.
“We share a commitment to financial wellbeing and economic participation for all Australians.”
Building corporate partnerships is an important part of our work to create lasting change for people living in poverty. Small and large businesses provide financial, volunteering and other forms of in-kind support for many different programs, services and research projects.
Businesses interested in value-aligned partnerships can contact our corporate partnerships team.