ONE of Australia's longest-established financial institutions has celebrated its 135th anniversary.
IMB has branches at Sylvania, Cronulla and Miranda and about 180,000 members in Sydney, Illawarra, Southern Highlands, South Coast, ACT and Victoria.
Chief executive Robert Ryan, a Sutherland Shire resident, helped cut the cake at Southgate shopping centre's branch to mark the anniversary.
An IMB member for more than 30 years, Lorna, 91, who did not want her surname published, was at the ceremony. She had joined with her late husband when they lived at Wollongong.
"I still go quite regularly into the Sylvania branch and I like the fact I can talk to the staff," she said.
IMB began at a time when people used a nib and ink to sign contracts, which they sealed with wax, and some Illawarra residents banded together to help people build their own homes.
The internet has expanded IMB's member base to a national audience.
Mr Ryan said IMB still believed in the importance of face-to-face service.
He said IMB granted $7.1 million to more than 450 projects through its Community Foundation during the past 15 years.