October 2008

Medicare ‘Change of Address’ campaign raises close to $1 million in additional revenue for the ACT

The Medicare ‘Change of Address’ closed early October, with 383 entrants providing Canberra with over $950,000 in additional GST revenue from the Federal government.

For every resident of the ACT who has not yet updated his or her address after moving from interstate, the ACT is missing out on approximately $2,000 per year. This is money that could be spent on schools, hospitals, roads and community services.

In order to assist the process, SERVICE ONE offered four $5,000 accounts – each person who changed their address with Medicare and registered their details with SERVICE ONE went into the draw.

Congratulations to the following four winners:

• Marina Buchanan, who moved from Redpa, TAS
• James Ford, who moved from Randwick, NSW
• Casey Faust, who moved from Banora Point, NSW, and
• Marjorie Greene, who moved from Fairfield West, NSW.

“On behalf of the Canberra community, I would like to thank every new Canberran who benefited the ACT by entering the competition. These funds will further improve our city and develop our future,” ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.

Over $2,500,000 in additional GST funding has been provided to the ACT due to more than 1,000 new Canberrans entering the competition over the last two years.

September 2008

Huxley raises much needed funds for Cancer Care Western NSW

CA Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley has continued his work on behalf of Cancer Care Western NSW stemming from his charity ride last month.

Huxley cycled from Canberra to Orange to raise funds for the Orange Cancer Care unit to coincide with the Rugby Union Players Association’s (RUPA) Masters of Rugby Tour fundraising weekend on 29 -31 August.

SERVICE ONE Members Banking Chief Executive Peter Carlin presented Huxley with a cheque for $1,500 – the proceeds raised by Canberrans in the lead-up to Huxley’s ride.

The Masters of Rugby Tour raised more than $62,000 for Cancer Care Western NSW with Huxley accumulating just over $15,000 from his ride. More than $7,000 in bank pledges is yet to be added to the total.

Huxley, who was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in March this year, said he was impressed with people’s support during the ride.

“I was blown away by the generosity and how quickly people were to donate time and money towards the ride,” he said. “We had some terrific corporate support from businesses like the Ride Shop, Audi Canberra and SERVICE ONE, and this was complemented by the generosity of everyday Canberrans and everyone we met during the ride.

“Cancer Care Western NSW is a great organisation and the work they’re doing at the moment in Orange will help relieve stress during what is already a very stressful time for many families.”

All monies raised from the weekend went towards building accommodation units for patients and families requiring radiotherapy and cancer care treatment at Orange’s new hospital. The facility will service 300,000 people in the central, mid and far western regions of NSW and means they will not have to travel the long distances to either Sydney or Canberra for treatment.

“SERVICE ONE is very proud to be involved with Julian’s fundraising ride,” Carlin said. “It’s inspiring not only to see someone who is willing to put their body under great strain in the name of charity but also how quickly the Canberra and wider community responded to this great cause. “We’d like to congratulate Julian on his terrific achievement of riding to Orange and on his ability to raise much needed funds and awareness on behalf of Cancer Care Western NSW.”

Credit unions and mutual building societies - providing stability in a volatile financial market

Abacus - Australian Mutuals, the industry association for credit unions, building societies and friendly societies, has released some material providing information detailing why credit unions and mutual building societies are the strong and secure banking alternative. Abacus represents 170 financial service providers (including SERVICE ONE) that have more than $70 billion in assets and provide services to more than 6 million Australians.

• View the credit unions and mutual building societies - growing from strength to strength fact sheet.
• View Louise Petschler's (CEO, Abacus) comments on the strength and stability of mutual Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions.

August 2008 Tertiary Open Day - Saturday 30 August 2008 SERVICE ONE Members Banking was proud to once again, support Tertiary Open Day (TOD). TOD is a collaboration between Canberra's five tertiary institutions (University of Canberra, Australian Catholic University, Australian Defence Force Academy, CIT Reid and Australian National University), and allows school leavers, mature age students and graduates to gain all the course and campus information they need. It was held on Saturday 30 August 2008, from 9am until 4pm. Additional activities such as live music, art exhibitions, food and entertainment made TOD 2008 a memorable occasion. SERVICE ONE offered the chance to win an Apple iPhone as part of TOD festivities. Jane Ebner was the lucky winner drawn from hundreds of entries - congratulations Jane! Competition terms and conditions. Authorised under ACT Permit No TP 08/03586.

Member Magazine colouring in competition winners

Congratulations to Annabel Crofts (7), Cameron Rutten (1) and Amy Webb (13) who all won a $100 top-up into their Day to Day Savings Account for colouring in the Winter scene as part of the July 2008 Member magazine.

July 2008 Winner - Batemans Bay One Day Sale On Saturday 26 July, the Stockland Centre at Batemans Bay held a One Day Sale. Contributing to the festivities, SERVICE ONE organised for a special visit from Brumby Jack and offered shoppers the opportunity to win a hot air balloon ride for two and a Brumbies supporter pack. After receiving hundreds of entries, Denise McIntyre (pictured) was the lucky name drawn to win the prize - congratulations Denise.

June 2008 National Recognition SERVICE ONE Members Banking has been judged as a Finalist in the Personal Lender of the Year category in Money magazine’s Consumer Finance Awards 2008. The 2008 Awards assessed the Personal Lender of the Year by evaluating the Unsecured and Secured Personal loans and Car loans of financial institutions operating in Australia. SERVICE ONE Members Banking Chief Executive, Peter Carlin, was thrilled with the result. ‘Money magazine’s Consumer Finance Awards recognise excellence in banking and finance. SERVICE ONE Members Banking is honoured to have been chosen as a Finalist in this competitive category,’ Mr Carlin said. ‘As the only true local financial institution, we pride ourselves on offering our Members access to a competitive range of products and services. This award is recognition of the exceptional value and quality features of the personal and car loans that SERVICE ONE Members Banking is able to provide to our Members. We remain focused on looking after the needs of our Members in every way’. All three Finalists in the Personal Lender of the Year category were Credit Unions and winners were announced in the June edition of Money magazine.

Out and About You may have noticed our new corporate Mini Coopers and Mini Clubman zipping around town. These new additions are not only economical, but are visually striking - helping us build brand awareness within our neighbourhoods. We'll be taking the Minis out to the communities we support, so keep an eye out for the vehicles at an event near you.

February 2008

Member Survey Winner

Thanks to all our Members who took the time to provide feedback to us as part of our Member Survey.

Congratulations to Kylie of Cooma who having participated in our Member Survey has won a $500 Money Management Account.

Kylie has bought to our attention difficulties with transferring to another Member on our Internet Banking site.

Kylie’s comment was:

“I'm a huge fan of internet banking but when I go to pay another Member of SOMB I also need their membership number which is not included on invoices - hence I need to make an additional phone call to get their Member No.”

Kylie is correct in saying that currently you need to know the Member number and account number to transfer funds, and this is something that you do not generally receive when a request for payment is received.

We will be looking at ways to improve our Internet Banking site over the next few months.

We would like to thank Kylie and all of our Members that took the time to complete our survey and tell us what you think of SERVICE ONE Members Banking, and how we can improve our service to you.

Rest Easy

Members who take out a Home Owner Banking plan with SOMB before 31 March 2008 will receive up to $200.00 rebate on their non-Rediteller ATM fees over the following 12 months. Contact your local branch for more details.

Redicard

Redicard is our preferred method of identification. Members who do not currently hold a Redicard or Visa Card are encouraged to apply for a Redicard for easier identification and access. 

Interest Rate Rises

As you are aware interest rates were increased on our loan products on 16 February 2008 as a result of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifting the official cash rate.

We are currently in the process of notifying Members affected by the rate rise with advertisements in local and national newspapers and on February's statement message.

Members whose payment has increased due to this rate rise will be sent letters from 25 February advising them of their increase in payments.

MyCard

Following the latest RBA rate increase, Citibank has been monitoring market movement and has now taken a position on pricing for the Rewards MasterCard.

The new interest rate 19.24% p.a. will take effect on 28 February 2008.

Batemans Bay Youth Foundation (BBYF)

The BBYF, organised by the Rotary Club along with the support of local sponsors including SOMB, provides scholarships to deserving young people of the South Coast requiring assistance to study away from home. BBYF has, this year, awarded 10 students grants that will assist with their living expenses, books and supplies.

One of the recipients Sally Beattie who will be attending Southern Cross Coffs Harbour Campus said "Without this grant I definitely would not be going to University".  

ANU and UC Open Day 20 and 21 February

The clubs and businesses on campus showed their wares to the students of ANU and UC at the University's annual Market Day. We gave away over 300 survival kits to students to help them get through the coming weeks. The survival kits included among other things 2-minute noodles, a mini chocolate bar and 2 biscuits for relaxing with a cuppa after a hard day of study.

We had a great response from the students with many interested in joining SOMB.

January 2008

Summer in the Capital
SERVICE ONE Members Banking is proud to once again support Canberra’s Summer in the Capital.

This year's program includes ‘Sunday in the Park’ with music and fun for the whole family. Some of the region’s best bands will perform on Stage 88, while the Gecko Gang entertain the kids with face painting, jumping castles, picnic games and much more. Watch out too for special appearances by the Brumbies, Brumby Jack, the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter and other popular guests over the summer.

Held each Sunday during January and February (excluding 17 February) at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park from 4.30pm until 7.30pm entry is free of charge.

Register for program updates and promotions and check out the latest dates and details of the full festival programme at www.summerinthecapital.gov.au

Click on the links below to view our archived 'What's News'

 Monthly archived news 2007
 Monthly archived news 2006
 Monthly archived news 2005