News

In a world of change, Lyn Maber has been banking with The Mutual Bank for almost 60 years - and 44 of those years at the East Maitland Branch. She helped The Mutual Bank CEO Mark Williams cut the ribbon on Tuesday 3 June 2025 to officially open our newly-renovated branch on George Street East Maitland. Mark said the bank’s vision was to create a modern and functional environment that customers would love, and teams would enjoy working in. “Our passion for service shines through every aspect of our business,” Mark said. “We are committed to providing exceptional personal service in our branches, and this newly renovated branch is a testament to that commitment. This contemporary, state-of-the-art facility brings a fresh, modern feel for our Members, and for our Branch Team.” Ms Maber said she loves her new-look branch and was happy to continue her long stint of banking locally. “I’ve been with The Mutual Bank since I was about 18, and I am nearly 77!” she proudly exclaimed. “It’s the service, the friendliness that keeps me coming back. “I have been a member since I was in my late teens and back then it was a branch in Church Street Maitland. “When the East Maitland Branch opened [in 1981] I started to come here, and I’ve always stuck with them as they've always looked after me. “Only recently I needed some help with my cards because of scammers, and the service I received was extra special.“ One of the exciting new features of the renovated branch is a special area dedicated to community organisations. “We believe in supporting our community, and this space is available for local charities, sporting organisations and fundraising groups to use during branch hours,” said Mark. “They can bring in posters, set up a laptop, and engage with people who visit the branch about their upcoming events or initiatives. This is our way of giving back and fostering a strong sense of community.” Mark praised the architects, ARCH, and builders Collaborative Construction Solutions for making the vision of a new branch a reality with a seamless project.“Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this project to life," he said. “Most importantly, we thank our Members for their patience and continued support during the construction period and we hope they enjoy the new look and features of their branch.”

Ready to supercharge your savings? Make savings growth yours with our bonus interest rate promotion on our Internet Saver and Internet Saver Business accounts where you can receive bonus interest on new to bank money.  From 1 June until 31 August, you could earn an extra 2% bonus interest on top of the base interest rate on new to bank money for 90 days from the date of each new deposit earning you an impressive 4.25%.  Bonus interest is paid on new to bank money only. If no new money is deposited during the promotional period, only the base interest rate will apply. Withdrawals made during the promotional period may affect the bonus interest paid.  Frequently Asked Questions What is the New Money Bonus Rate Promotion?  Between 1 June 2025 and 31 August 2025, we will be running a “New Money Bonus Interest Rate” promotion. The promotion applies to the Internet Saver and Internet Saver Business accounts only.  During these dates, existing and new account holders have the opportunity to earn a bonus rate when they deposit money that is new to the bank.  What is new money?  This means money that has come from an external source and not an internal transfer between your other accounts you hold with The Mutual Bank. The Bonus interest rate will be paid for 90 days on each deposit made.  What is the bonus interest rate and how is it paid?  The bonus interest rate is 2%. Each time a Member makes a new money deposit they will receive bonus interest for 90 days on each deposit not the entire account balance. For example, if they make a new money deposit on the 1 June 2025, they will receive bonus interest on that deposit for 90 days. If they make a deposit on 31 August 2025 they will receive bonus interest for 90 days on that deposit.   Bonus interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.  Is there a cap on the bonus interest?  No. The bonus interest will be paid on the whole amount of new money deposited.   What happens if I want to make a withdrawal from my Internet Saver account during the new money bonus period?  If you make a deposit which is considered new money, the withdrawal amount will be first deducted against the first new money amount deposited and then the next and so forth until the total withdrawn amount has been deducted.  Please note, that when a withdrawal is made and taken against a new money deposit, the bonus interest will be applied on the new amount not on the original deposited amount from that date forward. For example, John deposits $30,000 on 1 June. On10 June John withdraws $10,000. John will receive 2% bonus interest on the $30,000 up until the $10,000 withdrawal, and then they will receive 2% bonus interest on the $20,000 until the 90 days interest period is finished (unless John does another withdrawal and the same process will occur.)  Tiered interest rates apply: Different interest rates may apply to different portions of account balances. Fees and charges may apply.  Bonus rate promotion: Earn 4.25% p.a. interest by depositing new money to The Mutual Bank (excluding funds you currently have in existing accounts) between 1 June 2025 to 31 August 2025. Bonus Interest of 2.00% p.a. applies for 90 days from the date of each deposit of new money, less withdrawals made, during the promotional period, in addition to the base rate of 2.25% p.a. Interest rates are subject to change.  We have not considered your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs.  Please consider the PDS & TMD before deciding to acquire a product. Fees and charges may apply.  Maitland Mutual Limited trading as The Mutual Bank, ABN 94 087 651 983, AFSL 238139.   

The Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) warns people to be on the alert for scammers targeting people impacted by the severe weather event which impacted the Hunter and parts of NSW.  “In the chaos following severe weather events and natural disasters, it is important to be vigilant as scammers prey on people's desperation and goodwill,” said COBA Head of Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience Martin Latimer.  Following emergencies, fraudsters will often impersonate government agencies like Centrelink and the ATO, or utility providers, offering supposed rebates.  “They know people are desperate to recover financially, and they exploit that desperation by offering false promises of financial relief. This tactic of offering rebates and insurance payouts is a classic tool used by scammers to gain access to personal information and bank details,” he warned.  Another common tactic scammers use is to pose as legitimate charitable organisations, COBA warns. Before donating, take the time to verify the charity's legitimacy through trusted resources like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). When you're ready to give, go directly to the official website of the charity to make your donation.   “Always check the legitimacy of a URL, look for secure payment methods, and confirm their affiliation with the genuine charity or organisation. Best practice is to only donate through the genuine website,” Martin advised.  Be wary of unsolicited donation requests, another key sign of scams. Scammers also use phishing to steal your personal and financial data.  “A common phishing tactic is a scammer sending a text message, social media post or email, asking for donations and urging you to click on a link. These links will lead to fake websites and phishing pages designed to steal personal and payment information, or download malware onto your device,” Martin said.  “Avoid sharing any information that is not relevant, and don’t give out information to unknown or unverified individuals or organisations, especially if the contact was unsolicited,” he added.   Always remember to “Stop. Check. Protect”. If you encounter a potential scam, report it to ScamWatch.gov.au to help protect others. If you think you've been scammed, immediately report the transaction(s) by call us in business hours on 1300 688 825 or email us at info@themutual.com.au. If you are experiencing financial hardship due to the weather event, please reach out to us, as we may be able to help. Members can access the Financial Hardship Request Form on our website which you can fill out and email back to us, and our team will be in touch to see how we may be able to assist you. Members who have CGU insurance can call 13 24 80 or make a claim online at cgu.com.au/claims.  

The Mutual Bank team trust all our Members are keeping safe during the current extreme weather in the Hunter Region and parts of New South Wales.  Chief Member Officer Matthew Dunnill said The Mutual Bank Team is here to help any Member who has been impacted by rain and flooding.  “Members experiencing financial hardship, or any other banking issue, can call our team on 1300 688 825, email us at info@themutual.com.au or visit your local branch,” he said.  "We have a Financial Hardship Request Form on our website which you can fill out and email back to us, and our team will be in touch to see how we may be able to assist you. “Members who have CGU insurance can call 13 24 80 or make a claim online at cgu.com.au/claims.”    The SES have recommended Live Traffic to keep you updated on road conditions and in particular road closures. It can be accessed here. The NSW SES, ABC Newcastle radio and the Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock Councils have regular updates on their websites and Facebook feeds.  The safety of our staff is paramount and some branches may be closed during lunch breaks.  Anyone who has experienced damage from the rain or has floodwater threatening their property, please call the State Emergency Service on 132 500. Call 000 in an emergency.

Almost a third of Australian veterans who have served our nation return home to face severe hardship, isolation, and mental health challenges. That’s a startling statistic from Taskforce Veteran, an organisation dedicated to empowering Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans. When the organisation reached out to see if we could help, our Chief Digital and Technology Officer Josh Hessel had the perfect project. The Mutual Bank donated 20 refurbished computers and associated equipment for Taskforce Veteran to pass on to veterans and to use in its Cessnock Houses project which aims to address veteran homelessness by offering free crisis accommodation. "We are so proud to support Taskforce Veteran through this donation as it aligns perfectly with our values and our sponsorship initiatives which aim to make a positive impact in our community,” said Josh. “We believe in giving back to the community and supporting organisations that share our values, and we could not be more pleased this equipment will get a new lease on life by really helping these veterans and their families.” Brett Wild, Chairman of Taskforce Veteran, shared his gratitude for the donation. "This donation from The Mutual Bank means a great deal to us,” he said. “We are passionate about creating a brighter future for Australia’s veterans by fostering connection and offering safe, inclusive spaces for ADF members. “These computers will significantly enhance our ability to provide tangible support to veterans and their families. The computers will mean the veterans can stay socially connected, look for work and apply for jobs, upskill and access support services. “We are incredibly thankful for The Mutual Bank’s generosity and commitment to our cause." Taskforce Veteran’s initiatives help reduce isolation, restore self-worth, and actively promote mental well-being among the veteran community. The organisation also advocates for veterans, raising public awareness about their unique challenges and significant contributions to Australia's history. Taskforce Veteran's programs include community education and advocacy, creating collaborative environments, and preserving Australian military history. Their initiatives, such as the Scheyville Project and the Military Armoured Restoration Society (MARS), play a vital role in linking veterans, communities, and military history. You can learn more about their important work including the Cessnock Houses Project, here.

We are thrilled to announce that our East Maitland Branch has reopened after a major renovation! At The Mutual Bank, our passion for service shines through every aspect of our business. We are committed to providing exceptional personal service in our branches, and our newly renovated East Maitland Branch is a testament to that commitment. This contemporary, state-of-the-art facility brings a fresh, modern feel for you, our Members, and for our Branch Team. The East Maitland Branch, at 110 George Street East Maitland,  is the first to be redeveloped in our Branch of the Future program. This initiative aims to create a modern and functional environment that our Members enjoy visiting and our teams enjoy working in. The new design features improved navigation and functionality, ensuring a seamless banking experience. As a customer-owned bank, our profits go back into supporting our community and providing better products and services for our Members. Our goal is to give you the best banking experience possible. We believe in offering our Members a choice. While some Members prefer to deal with us in person, an increasing number of Members choose to self-service online. To support this, we successfully implemented a Digital Loan Origination Platform in 2024. We thank our Members for their patience and continued support during the construction period. Come and visit Promise and her team and experience the new look of our East Maitland Branch!