News

Welcome to the October issue of Communiqué

Our 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM) will provide members with the opportunity to hear about our progress and plans regarding Australian Military Bank. The health and wellbeing of our members is paramount, so like many other organisations our 2020 AGM will be held virtually.

On behalf of the Bank, I would like to extend my thanks to the over three thousand Defence Force personnel who have been deployed as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist, in roles that range from strategic management through to community support.

At the start of 2019, we implemented the Voice of the Member (VoM) program to gain insight from our members on the service they experience. I am pleased to announce that this quarter our measure for delivering positive experiences based on member feedback has shown an improvement of over 50% compared to June 2020. Thank you to all our members who have participated in this program, we appreciate your feedback.

In this issue, we showcase how RSL DefenceCare is always there helping Australian veterans and their families in times of injury, illness, or crisis. RSL DefenceCare is part of Australian Military Bank’s ‘cents gifting’ program, which has seen over $210,000 donated to Defence charity partners since 2015. This program is available with the Bank’s Military Reward Account, which sees us match our members contributions to select charities through a monthly ‘round-up’ feature.

With Remembrance Day next month, we will be standing up for a moments silence on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to honour the fallen Australian Defence Force personnel. We commemorate their sacrifices and bravery protecting our great nation, we will always remember them.

Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my gratitude to all our members for their ongoing business with Australian Military Bank.

John Brooks 

Chairman

Read full edition here or read the individual stories below:

• CEO Message October 2020
• Your Bank during COVID-19
• Military Rewards Charity in Profile: RSL DefenceCare
• Supporting the Defence Community

Notice to Members: Changes to Savings Account Interest Rates

Australian Military Bank and RSL Money wishes to advise that effective 1 October 2020, the below interest rates will apply to selected accounts:

Online Saver

Tier	Old Rate	New Rate	Change
$0-$4,999	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
$5,000-$500,000	0.25%	0.10%	-0.15%
Bonus Rate*	1.00%	1.00%	0.00%

*Bonus rate applies when maintaining a balance between $5,000-$500,000 and not making any withdrawals during the month. 

Pensioner Access Account (Australian Military Bank and RSL Money)

Tier	Old Rate	New Rate	Change
$0-$49,200	0.25%	0.25%	0.00%
$49,201-$250,000	1.25%	1.00%	-0.25%
$250,000+	0.25%	0.25%	0.00%

DIY Super Saver

Tier	Old Rate	New Rate	Change
All Balances	1.25%	1.00%	-0.25%

Interest rates are current as at the time of publication and are subject to change. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. For full product details please visit the relevant product pages.

Australian Military Bank Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 237 988. RSL Money is a business name of Australian Military Bank Ltd.

Australian Military Banks’ Personal Loan product wins Finder Award

We are honoured to have won the Finder Award for the best Personal Loans in the Risk-Based category! Over 5,000 products have been analysed over the past 12 months, to reveal the best products in the market. Our Personal Loan product has been recognised for its outstanding features and the great value it provides our members.

We are also pleased to have been recognised as a finalist in the Best Transaction Account category, for our Military Rewards Account. Our Military Rewards Account is not only making a difference for the Defence Community, through its cents gifting program, it has also been acknowledged for rewarding our members with a 1% cashback* on Visa payWave purchases.

For more information on the Finder Awards, please visit: https://www.finder.com.au/finderawards.

To learn more about or apply for our award winning  Personal Loans or open a Military Rewards Account, please visit the following pages:

• australianmilitarybank.com.au/personal-loans
• australianmilitarybank.com.au/MRA

* 1% cashback on Visa payWave purchases under $100 when you deposit at least $2,000 each month (capped at $25 per month).

Legacy Week 30 Aug – 5 Sep

Our Military Rewards Account charity partner, Legacy, provides services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their Defence Force service.

This Legacy Week, you can show your support by purchasing a badge at one of our branches or online at legacyshop.com.au. The Legacy badge symbolises our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion and fairness. Alternatively, if you would like to donate, please visit legacyweek.com.au.

Update to our current fees and charges

From 31 August 2020, the fees for the below transactions will be increasing.

bank@post Deposits - $4.00 each 
bank@post Withdrawals - $4.00 each

Other Bank Deposit Fees (Cash and cheque deposit at NAB branch) - $6.50 each

Looking to reduce or avoid fees?

Members can use internet and mobile banking to transact and save on fees. It’s possible to send and receive money in real time using PayID.* 

If you have an everyday account with us, you have access to the entire ATM network through Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB and ANZ.**

You can view our current Fees and Charges here.

* Participating financial institutions
** ATM providers not included in the Australian Military Bank ATM network may charge you directly for using their ATMs.

 

Australian Military Bank announces sponsorship of Defence Special Needs Drive Safe Program

Australian Military Bank today announced it will be a 2020 and 2021 sponsor of Defence Special Needs Support Group’s (DSNSG) Drive Safe Program. 

The Drive Safe Program is designed to assist members of DSNSG families aged 16 years and above with ASD, ADHD, and Asperger’s to gain confidence and self-esteem when learning to drive. This program was developed to address the need for specialised training within this group to obtain their driving licence and open the door to greater independence.

“We are delighted to be partnering with DSNSG for the Drive Safe Program” says Australian Military Bank’s CEO Darlene Mattiske-Wood, “this fantastic initiative is a great way for us to further support the Australian Defence community and offers a very meaningful hand for families and young people with specific needs to achieve an important milestone in these young people’s lives. This program has the power to materially change the quality of their lives and the lives of those who care for them”.
 
“We really commend the achievement of DSNG in the creation of this program and their pivotal role supporting the Defence community of Australia and it is a great honour to be able to participate” says Ms Mattiske-Wood. 
 
The sponsorship announcement from Australian Military Bank comes two weeks after the announcement that in conjunction with their Military Rewards Account holders they have achieved a $200,000 giving milestone to defence community partners as a result of their regular co-contribution scheme. 
 
“Over the years the Bank has sought to connect in the most meaningful way possible to support defence communities with targeted sponsorship contributions and ‘Drive Safe 2020’ is a very worthy cause” says Ms Mattiske-Wood.

DSNSG presentation 1 are from right to left: Air Commodore Henrik Ehlers AM, Ambassador, Kim Collins General Manager, Claire MacFarlane-Rowles National Co-ordinator and Andrew Moebus Head of Retail Distribution Southern Division

Announcing the winner of our ‘Apple Watch’ Williamtown Competition

Congratulations to our winner Christopher of Williamtown Branch, for winning an Apple watch.

To celebrate the opening of the relocated Williamtown Branch on February 20, members who opened up an Access Account, Military Rewards Account, Recruit Salary Saver or registered for PayID went into the draw to win an Apple watch*

*Members had to have opened an Access Account, Military Rewards, Recruit Salary Saver or registered for PayID from 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, at the Williamtown branch. Terms and Conditions applied.

Australian Military Bank working with their members to support those in need raises over $200,000

Australian Military Bank today announced that as a result of its Military Rewards Account, members and the Bank have achieved a substantial giving milestone with a current total exceeding $200,000, since the product’s introduction five years ago.

The Bank has partnered with four charities who are the recipients of the funds raised:

• Legacy - a charity providing services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service
• Mates for Mates - a charity providing physical, psychological and social support services to the Defence community
• RSL Defence Care - a charity and not-for-profit organisation helping Australian veterans and their families in times of injury, illness or crisis
• Solider On - a charity providing national fully integrated and holistic support services for our Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families

How does this work? On opening a Military Rewards Account, Australian Military Bank members elect which charity from the panel they wish to support and agree that the cents balance on their account at month end be contributed to the scheme. Australian Military Bank then matches total member donations dollar for dollar.

As a result of the Military Rewards account, members contributions to these four charities has assisted in providing care to serving, injured and ex-service members of the Defence community.

Australian Military Bank CEO, Darlene Mattiske-Wood says, “We are doing what you would expect from a member owned Bank, giving back to our members. These charity partners are important because they are supporting the vulnerable in the communities we serve. Anything we can do to support those who have, or are, in the service of protecting us is a meaningful mission.”

“To our members I want to emphasise that 100% of their donation is matched by Australian Military Bank and deposited to the beneficiary charities without erosion”.

Initiated in 2015 the Australian Military Rewards Account was launched with the dual purpose of providing customised features for ADF personnel as well as providing a helping-hand to defence community charities. This ‘everyday’ account allows members to capture 1% of their transactions as a cash back each month (with a $25 cap), free Australian Military Bank ATM withdrawals as well as 24/7 global access through an award winning mobile and internet banking platform.

Welcome to the July issue of Communiqué

I know this year has not been easy, with COVID-19 disrupting the way we live. While things are slowly returning to some normalcy, I am mindful that still, for many, it will take longer to recover from the impacts of what we will all come to remember as a very tough year. We will all vividly recall what we were doing during the first half of 2020.

We are mindful that some of our members have experienced hardship as a result of this pandemic. We continue to support members facing challenging situations. You can reach out to our hardship support team on 1800 855 810 or through Internet and Mobile Banking to discuss your financial options if you need support or assistance.

Inside your Bank we have been busy planning for the rest of this year and for the future. To support this, we will be welcoming Rebecca Tolhurst to the Board. Rebecca
will be joining us in the second half of this calendar year and brings considerable experience in member focus. We look forward to having Rebecca on the Board to support us in shaping a better Bank for you, our members.

Furthermore, we are honoured to serve the Defence Force and are particularly proud of the 1500 personnel who have been deployed as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist. On behalf of the Bank, I would like to thank you for your courage and efforts during this health pandemic crisis.

In other news, I would like to highlight the Military Rewards Account; an account which encourages our members to generously give back to the Defence Community. The Bank has matched member contributions, dollar for dollar since account inception in 2015. Together we have reached a milestone of over $200,000 raised for our Defence charity partners, Legacy, Soldier On, RSL DefenceCare and Mates4Mates. In this edition of Communiqué, we focus on Legacy and the inspiring work they do.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our thanks to you, our members for your continued support, during these unprecedented times.

John Brooks 

Chairman

Read full edition here