QCCU July 2013 newsletter

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY CREDIT UNION

Newsletter JULY / 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

peop matt le moster

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From the CEO’s desk

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Super Retirement Savings Account

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Call for nominations for Directors

SPIR IT OF QU EE NS LAND

Photo Competition as part of our photo Capture the spirit of Queensland great prizes! competition for the chance to win

Competition Details Queensland is beautiful and unique - it’s why we’ve made it our home, providing banking services to Queenslanders since 1971.

What does the spirit of Queensland mean to you?

We challenge you to capture what makes it special and unique to you. It could be the people, the places, the flora and fauna, the community spirit, the land.

1800 075 078 qccu.com.au

You can submit up to eight photos through the Queensland Country website or Facebook page. Entries are open until 5pm on Friday 2 August 2013.

Voting to choose the winning photograph and runner up will commence on Facebook on Monday 5 August 2013. Prizes will be awarded to the two photographs that receive the most votes and we’ll also be awarding prizes for CEO’s Choice and Young Photographer (for photographers aged 17 and under).

Terms and conditions apply to the photo competition so make sure you visit qccu.com.au to view the full terms and conditions before entering.

Prize Details First prize: $1,000 Second prize: $500 CEO’s Choice: $300 Young Photographer: $300

FROM THE

CEO’s desk and I am conscious of that when setting interest rates on investment accounts. The RBA remains concerned about the level of the ongoing high Australian dollar. This will certainly be a key factor in future RBA decisions to reduce the cash rate further.

As the 2013 financial year closes, it is time to reflect on our performance - not only in respect to financial results, but also how Queensland Country has contributed to the communities in which we operate and the role we’ve played in working with our Members. Our financial results will be finalised and reported in the coming months.

OUR BUSINESS This financial year, we have continued to see interest rates decrease. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the official cash rate to a record low of 2.75% at its meeting on 7 May 2013. While we are pleased that we are able to offer historically low interest rates to Members who are borrowing to purchase a home or other assets, we are mindful of how this impacts on retirees or people who rely on investment income. Each interest rate cut has had a negative impact for deposits

OUR COMMUNITY 2013 was again a successful year for Queensland Country’s Community Grants Scheme, with the implementation of an online grants management system called Smarty Grants. Smarty Grants has allowed applications to be lodged online and has made the process of managing the entire grants cycle from application to evaluation much easier. This year we received 393 applications. A list of successful grant applications will be provided on our website for Members to view.

OUR PEOPLE For a number of years Queensland Country has been the proud recipient of the Employer of Choice for Women citation. I am pleased to advise that in 2013 Queensland Country continues to hold this prestigious honour. Presently we are one of only 125 organisations across Australia to be recognised as a leader in promoting and facilitating gender equality

in the workplace. The EOWA agency has recently been rebranded as the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). I believe that this name change better reflects the intentions of the agency and the employers that are recognised by it.

OUR SERVICE In February this year, we launched our mobile banking to Members. This is an exciting milestone for us as it provides a new channel for Members to do their online banking. To access mobile banking, Members simply need to visit mobile.qccu. com.au from their internet browser on their phone or tablet.

With the financial year for 2013 drawing to a close, we’ll be looking ahead to plan new and enhanced initiatives to assist our Members with their financial needs.

I look forward to keeping you up to date on these improvements.

Aileen Cull Chief Executive Officer

Don’t settle for anything less.

Upgrade to a Visa Debit and get more out of life • • • •

Access to your own money wherever visa is accepted Visas zero Liability* Online and phone purchases International ATM access

For more information, visit qccu.com.au or call us on 1800 075 078 to upgrade to a visa debit card today

more people go with Visa

*Visa’s Zero Liability policy covers Australian and New Zealand-issued cards and does not apply to ATM transactions, transactions not processed by Visa or certain commercial card transactions. Cardholders should notify their issuer promptly of any unauthorised Visa use. Please consult your issuer for additional details.

PRODUCT IN FOCUS

Super Retirement Savings Account WORRIED ABOUT RETIREMENT? Relax, your super is safe with Queensland Country’s Super Retirement Savings Account.

Our Super RSA offers two competitive investment options. A variable rate option, where interest is calculated daily and paid annually on June 30, or a Fixed Term Deposit rate option where interest is calculated on the fixed term deposit balance and paid at maturity. Six and twelve month terms are available under this option.

Interest is accrued from the day of deposit or transfer into the Super RSA and once funds are accessible, they can be withdrawn as a lump sum, account based pension or a combination of both.

Our Super RSA is a low risk investment option for Members wanting to save for retirement. It experiences less exposure to market fluctuations and unpredictable market conditions All funds are capital guaranteed by the assets of Queensland Country Credit Union, in addition to the Australian Government’s deposit guarantee which protects depositors to a limit of $250,000 per financial institution.

The account has no entry or administration fees and money from other superannuation entities can be transferred into a Super RSA without incurring any entry fees. A $35.00 fee applies to each lump sum withdrawal.

Super Reform Queensland Country’s Super RSA is not required to comply with the MySuper requirements.

Superannuation is a long term investment.

We recommend that you consult your preferred financial planner before investing in our Super RSA. Talk to us about financial planning today and find out how Queensland Country Members can get access to a free one hour initial consultation with Clearview Financial Advice Pty Limited ABN 89 133 593 012.

Community Grants update Our 2013-2014 Community Grants campaign was a wonderful success. We introduced online applications and received hundreds of applications seeking more than $2 million in funding for projects right across Queensland.

The quality of applications received was excellent, much like the diversity of projects seeking to be undertaken. All applicants have been notified about the outcome of their applications and we look forward to seeing these projects progress in the coming months.

Since 2004, Queensland Country has provided over $1.6 million in Community Grant funding, helping 580 community groups deliver projects that have benefited local communities.

TIPS! SAVINGS BOOST Give your savings a boost by transferring your tax refund into a Christmas Club or Online Saver account instead of spending it.

IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO YOUR TAX REFUND Simply quote your BSB 704 640 and Member Number on your tax return.

If you’re entitled to a refund, the funds will be deposited directly into your account and you can access them straight away.

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QUEENSLAND COUNTRY HAS...

an early Christmas present for you!

OUR LOW STANDARD VARIABLE RATE JUST GOT EVEN LOWER*.

Reminders BSB When making payments into a Queensland Country Credit Union account, remember to use our BSB, your membership number, and the correct account name.

OUR BSB IS 704 640.

CHANGING RATES Keep up to date with our current interest rates by visiting qccu.com.au

AT A GLANCE

our figures

THAT’S 0.7%P.A OFF THE STANDARD VARIABLE RATE FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR LOAN. PLUS...

+ Valuation fees paid up to $500 on initial application + First years annual package fee waived**

May 2012

May 2013

Assets

$1,149m

$1,189m

Loans

$945m

$998m

$1,030m

$1,065m

Deposits

Visit Your local branch (check our website for your closest branch details)

Move before July 31 and save!

Web www.qccu.com.au

Special offer available under our Ultimate Home Loan Package for new loans with combined borrowings of $250,000 or more applied for from 2 April to 31 July 2013 and funded within 3 months of the date of application. **Ultimate Home Loan Package. Other fees and charges and normal lending criteria apply. Full terms and conditions available on request and will be included in the loan offer. Queensland Country Credit Union Limited. ABN 77 087 651 027. Australian Credit Licence 244 533.

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Email info@qccu.com.au

a refreshing attitude to banking

Mobile https://mobile.qccu.com.au

Mail P.O. Box 679 Aitkenvale Qld 4814

Contact Centre 1800 075 078

Call for Nominations for Director The annual notice calling for nominations for Director positions can be viewed at our website www.qccu.com.au

Nominations close at 4.00pm Wednesday, 9 October 2013.

Right of Set off The Credit Union may set-off against a Member’s membership share or the credit balance of the Member’s deposit account against any debt owed by the Member to the Credit Union.

Phone Service

(LANDLINE)

Phone Service

(MOBILE)

1300 722 812 07 4728 2666

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/ACL 244 533 Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd. ABN 18 085 048 237