QUEENSLAND COUNTRY CREDIT UNION
Newsletter JANUARY / 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
peop matt le moster
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From the CEO’s desk
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Queensland Country’s new reno loan
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Continued strong performance
NEW HEADQUARTERS
underway Late last year, local builder Perry McDonald Constructions was appointed to bring Queensland Country’s new headquarters in Townsville to life.
Construction started on the new block in December, with the new premises set to open in time for Christmas 2014. The two-storey building will contain energy efficient lighting throughout and a chilled water air conditioning unit which requires up to 15% less energy to run. It will also have a solar panel system housed on the roof to reduce the energy requirements of the building. The office space will provide state-of-the-art working environments including a 28 seat training room, Board Room facilities and ergonomically designed workstations. A retail complex will also be housed on the lower level of the building, giving Members more service options and an exciting new retail experience in the relocated Aitkenvale banking branch.
1800 075 078 qccu.com.au
Artist impres sion on what has been desc as the busies rib t intersection outside Brisba ed ne.
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FROM the
CEO’s desk Members to talk with our staff about how you can benefit by transferring any loans that you may have elsewhere to Queensland Country. A BillPaying account is also a great way to help manage your budget for the coming year.
I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and the New Year has so far been a happy and prosperous one. With the start of 2014, it’s a great time to think about your financial needs and to establish a clear financial plan for you and your family. Our fixed home loan interest rates remain amongst the best available in the market place and I encourage all
Annual General Meeting Update In November we held our 43rd Annual General Meeting in Mount Isa. Chairman Bruno Cullen addressed the crowd and CEO Aileen Cull provided an update on the financial performance of the Credit Union. Directors Ray Southwell, Paul White and Brad Webb were all reappointed to the Board and the Special Business to propose a number of amendments to the Credit Union Constitution to remove/alter current limitations restricting the organisation’s growth and efficiency was confirmed by Member vote.
Queensland Country’s 43rd Annual General Meeting was held in Mount Isa in November. It was lovely to see everyone again and receive positive feedback from our Members about the service of our staff and value of our Community Grants program. The Special Business to propose changes to the Constitution was also confirmed by Members voting in favour to accept the change. You can read more about that in this edition.
Work has now also begun on our new Head Office building in Townsville. The energy efficient two storey building will house over 100 national support staff for both the Credit Union and Health Fund including the two locally staffed Contact Centres and is expected to open December 2014. It’s a very exciting time for our Staff and our Members. I look forward to Queensland Country continuing to look after your financial needs throughout 2014.
Aileen Cull Chief Executive Officer
New website Keep an eye out for our exciting new website, launching in early 2014. With a fresh design and increased functionality, we will be delighted to offer this improved resource to help our Members and potential new customers learn more about Queensland Country’s products and services. We’ll also unveil a new look to our online banking soon. CU Online will be rebranded and will give you the ability to change your card PINs. For secure access to online banking, make sure you’re registered with an E-client number and SMS security. Call us on 1800 075 078 to upgrade your security access today. These new improvements, together with our mobile banking, provide Members with a better quality banking experience.
Need help getting your renovations started? Check out Queensland Country’s new Reno loan. Looking for an easy, hassle free and cost effective way to finance improvements to your home? Check out our new renovation loan. Our Reno loan can supply you with as little as $3,000 up to $20,000 for all those smaller home improvements projects. It offers a low interest rate, low establishment fee, has no early payout fees and no security is required.
If you’re thinking about adding a deck, putting in a pool, giving the kitchen or bathroom a makeover or building a man shed, a Queensland Country Reno loan may be the solution. A full list of renovations which may be funded by a Reno loan is included in the Product Information Brochure . Visit qccu.com.au to find out more details about our Reno loan today. Normal lending criteria, terms, conditions, eligibility criteria and fees apply and are available on request.
Community Grants
Queensland Country’s 2014 round of Community Grants will open in the coming months. Our Community Grants Program calls on not-for-profit groups to submit their applications for worthwhile projects that will benefit our local Queensland communities. Check the eligibility of your project now by visiting www.qccu.com.au/community/community/grants or talk with your local Branch Manager.
Open for business on Saturdays
THURSDAY 9.00am - 6.00pm
9.00am - 6.30pm
Caneland Central
Willows
Mount Pleasant Gladstone Saturday
We understand life is hectic and sometimes it’s just not possible to get into a branch during business hours. We also know it’s important to you to have access to our branches and the flexibility to conduct your business when it’s convenient. From 1 February 2014 Queensland Country will continue to support local communities with banking services into the evening and on the weekend in the following branches with some slight changes to operating hours.
supporting local communities
9.00am - 11.30am
9.00am - 11.00am
Aitkenvale
Ayr
Beaudesert
Bowen
Caneland Central
Charters Towers
Deeragun
Magnetic Island
Earlville
Mount Isa
Jimboomba
Stanthorpe
Mount Pleasant Smithfield Willows
Focus on Privacy Major changes to Australian Privacy Laws take effect from 12 March 2014. Apart from the legal requirements, there are good business reasons for complying with the new Australian Privacy Principles. Queensland Country collects personal information from our Members to enable us to provide you with the products and services you require to help you achieve your financial goals. We encourage you to keep us informed of any changes to that information as the accuracy, as well as security and confidentiality, of your personal information is very important to us.
Continued strong performance by our Credit Union Queensland Country Credit Union sailed through what financial commentators described as a tough year, realising solid growth in most areas to June 30 2013 with Net Profit after Tax increasing on last year to $5.5 million. Chief Executive Officer Aileen Cull said the results were outstanding given the difficult economic conditions during the reporting period. “There is no doubt people have become more cautious over the last 12 months when it comes to making larger investment decisions. Despite record low interest rates, we have seen a continued move to reduce borrowing levels and increase savings,” Ms Cull said. “Increasing the level of loans funded during the year by 7.3% to $216 million in the current climate has been an outstanding result. Capital adequacy improved to 13.06 per cent, significantly exceeding minimum regulatory requirements. Importantly our overall capital quality puts the business in a strong position to meet the new global finance regulatory standard, Basel III,” Ms Cull said.
2012/2013 Financial Highlights Total assets increased 3.2% to $1.20 billion Total loans issued $216.2 million (2012: $201.5 million) Total deposits grew by 3.41% to $1.08 billion
Get Later this year signatures will no longer be accepted when making credit card purchases over $100 at retail outlets across Australia. Backed by industry heavyweights Visa, Mastercard and Amex, PIN only at Point Of Sale is an initiative designed to increase card security for both customers and credit card providers. In preparation of this upcoming change, Queensland Country is encouraging card holders to get into the habit of using PIN now. Making the change now will make the transition to ‘PIN only’ purchases much easier once the changes have been implemented across all retailers. If you need to change your PIN call us on 1800 075 078, log into CU Online with your E-client number and change your PIN yourself, or pop into your local branch.
changing rates
Keep up to date with our current interest rates by visiting qccu.com.au
At a glance
our figures Nov 2012
Nov 2013
Assets
$1,185m
$1,226m
Loans
$972m
$990m
$1,059m
$1,105m
Deposits
Visit Your local branch (check our website for your closest branch details)
Contact Centre 1800 075 078
Web www.qccu.com.au
Mobile https://mobile.qccu.com.au
Queensland Country Health Fund
make health insurance easy
Switch today…
P.O. Box 679 Aitkenvale Qld 4814
info@qccu.com.au
Easy to choose your cover Easy to deal with local people Easy to claim
Call 1800 813 415 1800 813 415 qldcountryhealth.com.au
Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd ABN 18 085 048 237
When considering any Queensland Country financial product or service mentioned in this newsletter you should obtain the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Product Information Brochure, Terms and Conditions, and Fees & Charges Brochure which are available from any Queensland Country Credit Union Branch. Fees and charges may apply to products. Normal lending criteria applies to loans. Queensland Country Credit Union Limited. ABN 77 087 651 027 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 244 533 Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd. ABN 18 085 048 237