Walk into the Heritage Building Society in Dalby, and it's obvious that branch manager Helen Buckley and her team have wholeheartedly embraced the catch cry "People First".

"It might sound clichéd, but we believe it's important to treat our customers as real people not numbers. We follow a simple motto that each customer is to be greeted with a smile," Helen said.

This friendly approach, combined with innovative business and personal banking packages and the latest technology, has proven a winning combination for the Toowoomba-based organisation. Now Australia's largest building society, it recently announced a record half-yearly profit, and last year was named the nation's best building society by four independent award panels.

"We offer great products, competitive interest rates and lower fees, but at the end of the day our customers keep coming back because our focus is on serving them." she said.

"Unlike the banks, Heritage isn't owned by shareholders. We don't have the conflict like other financial institutions that have to walk the tightrope between customer and shareholders' needs. Our members are, in essence, our owners - so our goal is to reinvest value back to them.

"One way we do this is through our commitment to rural areas. At a time when banks are closing branches, Heritage continues to grow and strengthen its presence in the country.

In this financial year, the Dalby branch doubled the number of loans it wrote compared with the same period last year and increased staffing levels to meet demand. According to Helen this is a sign of things to come.

"With new industry and development activity in the area, I feel strongly that Dalby will continue to boom over the next few years, and we'll be here to help make it happen."

Heritage plays an active role in supporting business in Dalby by sponsoring the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards over the past nine years.

"We see these awards as a way of fostering growth by giving local businesses something positive to strive for. It's been great to see these awards get bigger and better each year."

Helen, now in her 12 th year as branch manager, said a low turnover of staff has resulted in a happy, stable and experienced team.

"If you haven't had a chance to meet us, why not pop in and say hello? Not only can we offer you a financial package to meet your needs, but we'll offer you a smile."