Greater Bank has announced it will give away $5,000 every month to community groups that are working to help make Armidale and surrounding areas greater.

The customer owned bank’s Armidale branch manager, Wendy Ng, said residents of Armidale and surrounding areas will decide who receives the $5000.

Ms Ng said it will be easy to nominate community organisations and for people to vote.

People will be able to nominate community groups online from next week at greater.com.au/greaterarmidale.

At the beginning of each month, three community groups will be selected from those nominations.

The community can then vote online at greater.com.au/armidalevote, at Greater Bank’s Armidale branch or,  on the middle Saturday of  every month, at a special  greater Armidale display at Armidale Central Shopping Centre.

The organisation with the most votes receives $3,000. The other two each receive $1,000.

The winner will be announced on the last Saturday of the month at Greater Bank’s Armidale branch.

“All community groups need to do is tell us in 100 words or less how the organisation is helping to create a greater Armidale and provide a photo ,” Ms Ng said.

“To start the program we have already selected three community groups in consultation with Armidale Central Shopping Centre’s Amanda Frost which we will announce next week,” she said.

“People can vote multiple times  for the organisation they believe best supports the Armidale community.”

Ms Ng was joined at the launch of the program by Armidale Business Chamber president Susan Cull.

Ms Cull said the program would help the region’s community organisations to continue to make a difference.

“This is another example of how business can give back to the community,” Ms Cull said.

Ms Ng said as Greater Bank is a customer owned bank its focus is on making life better for customers and their communities.

“There are so many local organisations working to make Armidale greater,” Ms Ng said.