QUEENSLAND COUNTRY CREDIT UNION
Newsletter OCTOBER / 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
peop matt le moster
2 3 4
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From the CEO’s desk
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Banking and money tips for overseas travel
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Photo competition winners
LOWEST MORTGAGE
rates in our history “We understand that any move to help ease the cost of living in households is appreciated by those who bank with us.” she said.
Queensland Country’s variable and fixed mortgage rates are at their lowest in the recorded history of the business.
Affecting positive change in people’s lives is at the heart of Queensland Country’s customer owned business model.
The Credit Union recently reduced the standard variable rate on home loans by a further 25 basis points (0.25%), following reductions to the official cash rate set they the Reserve Bank.
“With interest rates at historically low levels, now is an ideal opportunity for mortgage holders to review their current home loans,” Ms Cull said.
CEO Aileen Cull said the decision was easy.
“We’re in the
business of helping people achieve their goals,
”
1800 075 078 qccu.com.au
“We are encouraging everyone to take the time to talk to our home loan experts to ensure they are getting the best deal.”
Call us on
1800 075 078 OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH TODAY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A
Free home loan HEALTH CHECK
If getting more back from your health fund matters to you TALK TO QUEENSLAND COUNTRY HEALTH FUND 1800 813 415 or pop in to your nearest Queensland Country branch.
www.qldcountryhealth.com.au
FROM THE
CEO’s desk $999 million. More information relating to Queensland Country Credit Union’s financial performance is contained in our 43rd Annual Report which will be available online in late October.
The financial performance of Queensland Country for 2012-2013 has now been finalised and I am pleased to provide you with a brief report on our results. Our Total assets grew by 3.2% to $1.20 billion. Profit before Tax increased by 2.8% to $7.7 million, which although modest, was sufficient to increase Capital Adequacy from 12.94% to 13.06%. Our deposits grew by 3.4% to $1.08 billion, and our loans balances grew by 5.5% to
With a small deterioration in economic circumstances evident throughout some parts of Queensland over the past 12 months, we have incurred higher costs for impaired loans this year, but pleasingly at the end of the financial year, loans in arrears were still modest at 1.04%. I encourage any Members who are concerned about their financial position to talk to their local Branch Manager and discuss the options available. Looking forward, we have some significant projects and investments that will position us well for the future. In particular, investment in technology over the next
several years to greatly enhance our ability to deliver new and exciting products for our Members. I look forward to sharing some more Queensland Country Credit Union news with you in our next newsletter and in the meantime I hope to catch up with some of you at the AGM in Mount Isa on Thursday 14 November.
Aileen Cull Chief Executive Officer
We are a customer-owned banking alternative At Queensland Country our Members aren’t just numbers. We are a customer-owned banking alternative which means our Members are our shareholders. People matter most, that’s why upon joining, our business model gives you one membership share so you become a part-owner of Queensland Country.
For us, it’s all about making a difference. Every decision we make at Queensland Country Credit Union takes into consideration the benefit for our Members and communities. Our profit stays in our communities and gets reinvested back into making our services and products that much better. That’s the difference between a bank and Queensland Country. We are a customer-owned banking alternative and we value people most.
Banking and money tips for overseas travel
SAVVY TRAVELLERS PLAN IN ADVANCE AND CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BEFORE HEADING OVERSEAS
Having access to more than one source of funds
Making copies of important documents
Taking out a travel insurance policy
A combination of foreign currency, a Cash
Having photocopies of your passport, debit and
You can enjoy your adventure knowing that
Passport card, and a debit or credit card will
credit cards, and any other important documents
you’re covered.
help minimize the risk of being left without
can make arranging replacements easier. Some
access to money if one is lost or stolen.
travelers store copies in bags separate to the
Paying any current bills if possible before leaving Australia
originals while others leave them with trusted
Informing your financial institution about travel
relatives or friends back home.
Banks monitor transactions to help protect customer’s accounts from fraud. Keeping your
If planning to pay bills while travelling make sure
Registering with smarttraveller.gov.au
the billers are set up through online banking
You’ll receive travel advice updates and the
customers quickly and respond appropriately.
before heading off and remember some online
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs can
banking payments require SMS verification so
contact you easily in case of an emergency.
bank informed about travel movements helps with detecting fraud and allows them to contact
having your usual mobile phone number will be important to completing the transaction.
CALL 1800 075 078 OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH BEFORE YOU HEAD OFF ON YOUR OVERSEAS ADVENTURE.
Reasons to keep your details up to date 1
FRAUD
Queensland Country monitors transactions to help protect accounts against fraud. As a protection measure, we may need to put a temporary block on access to your account until you can confirm suspect transactions are legitimate. Keeping your details up to date helps us contact you faster.
2 ACCOUNT QUERIES
Direct debits are great but if there’s insufficient funds in the account we may need to contact you so that you are not inconvenienced. Being able to contact you quickly helps us keep your payments moving.
TO ENSURE YOU’RE JUST A PHONE CALL, EMAIL OR LETTER AWAY, CALL US ON
1800 075 078
OR UPDATE YOUR DETAILS NEXT TIME YOU VISIT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH.
Government legislation requires us to transfer funds in inactive accounts to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Having your current details allows us to contact you to discuss your options before your account becomes inactive. You can ensure your accounts always stay active by making regular deposits or withdrawals.
3
EXCLUSIVE MEMBER OFFERS
Throughout the year Queensland Country runs various promotions, competitions, seminars and special offers. We love telling Members when they’ve won prizes and inviting you to lean how we can help with achieving financial goals.
BE THE
first in line
1.
ind the BPAY biller code F on your bill.
Log on to your online or mobile banking, and select to pay bills with BPAY.
2.
EVERYTIME WITH BPAY Manage your bills in one simple step with BPAY on Queensland Country’s online banking. You can even BPAY from your mobile for established payees.
3.
Provide the Biller Code, CRN (Customer Reference Number) and the amount you want to pay.
Follow these simple steps:
4.
Choose the account to pay from: Savings or Credit Card account.
5.
Finally, select the payment date, confirm the payment, and you’re done.
You can also future schedule the payment, or set up recurring BPAY payments.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR CURRENT INTEREST RATES BY VISITING QCCU.COM.AU
D E E N S LAN
s r e n n i W
S PI R IT OF
QU
be proved to ueensland Q f o of it e ir p the S the volum Capturing strated by n o n. m o e ti d ti s e sk a comp an easy ta 2013 photo e th in d e iv entries rece
Several photos were short listed from the nearly 250 photos submitted and Facebook likes decided the overall winners.
AT A GLANCE
our figures
CEO’s Choice photograph was “Winter Country Sunset” snapped by Lyndley K and James A’s “Early morning on Russell Island” took out the Young Photographer award.
Congratulations to Voter’s Choice winner Mark L whose photo “Room with a Roo” attracted over 600 votes, and Voter’s Choice runner up Meg A whose “Rafting down Baron River” photo attracted over 460 votes.
changing rates
Aug 2012
Aug 2013
Assets
$1,165m
$1,239m
Loans
$968m
$1,001m
$1,041m
$1,117m
Deposits
Visit
“Rafting down Baron River”
by Meg A (Voter’s Choice runner up)
Your local branch (check our website for your closest branch details)
Contact Centre 1800 075 078
“Room with a Roo”
Web
by Mark L (Voter’
s Choice winner
www.qccu.com.au
)
Mobile
“
”
y Sunset Winter Countr
“Early morning on ’s Choice)
by Lyndley K (CEO
Contact Centre Our Contact Centre is ready to take your call
Call us on 1800 075 078 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday 8.30am – 12.30pm Saturday
by James
https://mobile.qccu.com.au
”
Russell Island gra
A (Young Photo
pher award
)
Email info@qccu.com.au
AGM Reminder The 43rd Queensland Country Credit Union Annual General Meeting will be held at 6:00pm on Thursday 14 November at the Carpentaria Buffalo Club, Mount Isa. All Members are welcome to attend.
Mail P.O. Box 679 Aitkenvale Qld 4814
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