The Catholic Development Fund Sydney (CDF)

The Catholic Development Fund (CDF) was established by Cardinal Clancy in 1993. We are governed by our Charter and Rules and are administered by the Archbishop through an Advisory Board.

We exist solely to benefit the Charitable Works of the Archdiocese of Sydney and its Parishes.  We are a means through which Catholic Church entities can make the most of their financial resources and activities by distributing surpluses to further our mission through Charitable Works.

CDF Sydney exclusively services a range of Catholic Entities including Parishes, Schools, Agencies, Chaplaincies, Religious Institutes, Clergy and any entity that falls within the definition of an “Associate” under the Corporations Act 2001 (Act) Exemption Instrument 2016/813 (Wholesale Charitable Investment Fundraising) and an “Affiliate” under the Banking Exemption No. 1 of 2017 of the Banking Act 1959.

CDF Sydney does not and will not offer, issue or sell products to individual retail investors who are not Associates and Affiliates, and as such, its products are not retail products and are therefore not available to the general public.

Message from the Archbishop

My Dear People

The Catholic Development Fund is built around the simple philosophy that we all benefit through the pooling of Church funds rather than depositing directly in multiple places with the for-profit banking system. The CDF pays a competitive rate of interest on deposits and uses these funds to provide loans for the building of schools, parish churches and facilities, hospitals and aged care on favourable and competitive terms. The surpluses generated by the CDF are retained within church – without the CDF, these surpluses would have been retained by the banks as profits for their shareholders.

+ (Most Rev) Anthony Fisher OP

Archbishop of Sydney
Read more
0
+
Parishes + Agencies
0
+
Happy Clients
0
+M
Revenue

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Only Catholic entities can be clients of the CDF which allows us to:

Have a unique understanding of the needs of our clients and provide a high level of personalised service

We promote the charitable and educational needs of the Archdiocese:

The majority of our surplus is directed toward the pastoral works of the Archdiocese; and

We support the Mission of the Church in all aspects of our activities

We support our clients by providing advice and expertise to:

Utilise products and services to optimal effect and fulfil the unique needs of Church clientele.

We provide products and services at minimal cost by:

Negotiating favourable fees for services and facilities provided by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia;

  • Ensuring our operating costs remain low;
  • Absorbing some of the costs charged by the Commonwealth Bank; and
  • Not charging for any service provided directly by the CDF.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

  • Maximising the benefit of pooling Church funds rather than directly depositing with the banking system
  • Ensuring that any surpluses are retained to fund the good works of the Church rather than being paid to the shareholders of banks
  • Managing funds invested in the CDF prudently and profitably
  • Ensuring we are able to provide loan funds for the capital needs of the Church especially within the Archdiocese of Sydney
  • Providing market competitive deposit and loan
    products and transaction services.

OUR TEAM

Meet Our Board Members
Meet Our Dedicated Staff

OUR PARTNERS

BANKERS

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
48 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000

SOLICITORS

Makinson & d’Apice
135 King Street
Sydney NSW 2000

AUDITORS

KPMG
International Towers Sydney 3
300 Barangaroo Avenue
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

View Annual Reports
View Identification Statements