Community First recognised in 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards

The Community First Low Rate Credit Card has been named Highly Commended in the Best Low Rate Credit Card category of the 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards.

The Community First Low Rate Credit Card has been named Highly Commended in the Best Low Rate Credit Card category of the 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards.


These awards are based on a robust methodology and 12 months of market data for every credit card in Finder’s database. That’s 270 cards from 82 banks and brands in Australia.

The features recognised in Finder’s Best Low Rate Credit Card category

The Community First Low Rate Credit Card scored highly for its low 8.99% p.a. interest rate, which is 11.08 percentage points lower than the average standard credit card rate (currently 20.07% based on RBA data).

This metric made up 70% of the weighting for Finder’s Low Rate Credit Card category.

Its relatively low $50 annual fee and up to 55 days interest-free also ranked highly. 

In fact, this is the third year in a row that the Community First Low Rate Credit Card has been recognised in this category of the Finder Credit Card Awards, having also received Highly Commended in 2023 and 2022.

Other details to consider

While not factored into the methodology, the Community First Low Rate Credit Card also offers 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 12 months. This gives you a way to save on interest charges if you want to switch from a credit card you’re currently paying off.

It’s also worth noting that Community First offers the same features on its Low Rate Pink and Low Rate Blue credit cards, which support charitable causes. 

With the Low Rate Pink Credit Card, half the annual fee is donated to the McGrath Foundation each year and with the Low Rate Blue Credit Card, half the annual fee supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia each year.

Member-owned banking benefits

All of the credit cards recognised in the Best Low Rate Credit Card category of the 2024 Finder Awards were from member-owned financial institutions, including Community First.

This highlights the potential value and benefits you can get from joining a member-owned financial institution, because profits go back to the community and members in the form of competitive products and services.

As the Finder Credit Card Awards has highlighted, this can include market-leading products and offers.

About the 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards

Finder has recognised credit cards that offer outstanding value through its awards program for the past 6 years. In 2024, the Finder Credit Card Awards recognised winners and finalists in 12 categories, covering both personal and business cards. The team of experts spent over 100 hours analysing data, with methodology that covered 17 data points for 270 cards. The winners and finalists give people a benchmark for comparing and finding a new card.

Written by Amy Bradney-George, personal finance expert at Finder.

Bio:
Amy Bradney-George has been writing about personal finance for more than 14 years – including over 7 years as the senior writer for credit cards at Finder. She is also the editorial lead for Finder Green, covering sustainability across different industries.

Her work has appeared in publications including Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, Financy, ABC News Australia and Equity Magazine. Amy also has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University.

Credit eligibility criteria, terms & conditions, fees & charges apply.

¹ Rates are current as at 31/03/2018 and subject to change without notice. 2 Offer terms and conditions: Rate is current as at 5 March 2024 and subject to change without notice. This is an introductory rate for 12 months only on eligible balance transfers from the date the balance transfer is processed. The balance transfer must be processed by us via BPAY®. Your existing credit card must have a BPAY® Biller code to be eligible for the balance transfer offer. After the initial 12 month introductory period, the interest rate for the balance transferred will revert back to the standard credit card rate at the time – currently 8.99% p.a. Offer available for new and existing cardholders where new balances are transferred to the card and offer can be withdrawn at any time. Excludes Balance Transfers from Community First or Easy Street cards. 

This information is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs (your “personal circumstances”). Before deciding whether to buy any product on this website you should consider your personal circumstances. You should read and consider the Terms and Conditions when deciding to use any product (terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply). Our product Conditions of Use are available at communityfirst.com.au

Community First Credit Union LimitedABN 80 087 649 938 | Operating as Community First Bank | AFSL and Australian credit licence 231204

® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518

Coming off a fixed rate? – here’s how to prepare

Is your home loan fixed-rate term scheduled to end this year?

During the pandemic, numerous Australians pursued financial stability by opting for fixed-rate home loans at historically low interest rates.

By 2022, this trend accounted for roughly 40% of all home loans . However, as these fixed-rate terms approach expiration, borrowers will inevitably face the prospect of transitioning to different loans with significantly higher interest repayments.

If your fixed-rate term is scheduled to end this year, it is essential to assess its impact on your financial situation. This may involve exploring different options to handle potential repayment increases by examining your home loan alternatives. Additionally, consider revisiting your budget, adjusting other debts like credit cards, and setting aside extra cash to navigate any challenges that may arise.

Review your budget

Get ready for possible higher loan repayments by carefully examining your budget and pinpointing areas where you can trim expenses. Utilise our budget planner [https://communityfirst.com.au/tools/calculators/budget-planner] to start this process.

As part of this financial health check, be willing to adapt your lifestyle to confront financial challenges. Taking proactive steps, such as downgrading your vehicle, liquidating assets, or exploring additional employment opportunities, can ease financial pressures.

Make debts easier to manage

If you carry additional debts, such as multiple credit card balances, you can consider consolidating them into the one loan such as a personal loan or your mortgage. By transitioning from multiple payments to a single, straightforward repayment over a different term, it could simplify managing your financial commitments, prevent you from over-spending on credit and potentially free up some cash. It’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay less interest, however it can help you free up some cash to help with meeting your commitments.

Similarly, should you find yourself with extra funds, refrain from spending that money. Instead, contemplate stashing it in either an “offset account” [https://communityfirst.com.au/how-an-offset-account-works] or “redraw” [https://communityfirst.com.au/access-redraw]to build a financial cushion for unforeseen circumstances. Another prudent option is to consider making additional repayments on your mortgage to diminish the outstanding balance before transitioning from your fixed-rate period.

Choosing the right next step for your home loan

Once your current fixed rate term expires, you can refix for another term if permitted by your existing lender, or let it revert to a variable rate.

Though the rate at which you refix may differ from your previous fixed loan, you might still prefer the certainty of knowing what your repayments will look like for another term. You’ll also be protected from any rate rises until your fixed term is complete. On the other hand, if variable rates remain lower than your fixed rate, you could miss out on the potential savings.

Also, consider your plans for the property. If you fix for a further term, and choose to sell or payout the loan before the fixed term has ended, this may attract an early repayment fee.

If you’re not ready to commit to another term, you can let your home loan revert to the relevant current variable rate. You should check the terms and conditions of your loan to make sure you understand what will happen at the end of the fixed term.

Variable rates, as implied by their name, are subject to change. They can however offer features and benefits different to fixed loans, so it pays to do your homework and consider which type of loan will best suit your needs.

For instance, features such as offset accounts coupled with the flexibility to make unlimited extra repayments, can collectively make variable loans an attractive choice for borrowers. However, should you discover that you don’t have a lot of cash to park in an offset account, it might be wise to investigate basic loan alternatives that can offer lower rates or fees. If uncertain, discuss alternative options with your lender.

Check-in for a home loan check-up

If you’re about to transition off a fixed rate, it’s the perfect opportunity to chat with us about your options. It’s also important to note that if transitioning to a higher repayment may cause financial stress, we encourage you to reach out to your lender as early as possible.

Our team of Mortgage Specialists at Community First Bank excels in home loan matchmaking.

They’ll walk you through the features and benefits available for your current circumstances and guide you through our available rates.

Where to start

To find out more about our home loans, pop into one of our Community First stores or call the Community First team on 1300 13 22 77. One of our Mortgage Specialists will guide you through the process and be able to answer all your questions.

Keep your personal details safe

Scams are becoming sophisticated and more complex.

New fraud risks emerge

Scams are becoming more sophisticated and more complex. Community First has strong protection measures in place but there is a lot our members can do to protect themselves and their money against new risks.

While scammers come in all shapes and sizes, the common thread is that they continually explore new ways to part us from our money.

Recently, several scams have emerged that suggest previously unseen fraud threats. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening, and how you can protect yourself.

Scenario snapshot #1

One recent scam event involved an elderly person aged in their 80s, who we’ll call Vera.

Looking through her banking activity, Vera noticed an online banking transaction that wasn’t familiar. Sensibly, she contacted her bank immediately.

On investigation, it turned out that someone had acquired Vera’s online banking details.

That same person had registered a new mobile device to Vera’s account, and then transferred funds to a business that Vera had (quite legitimately) sent funds to several years prior.

This may sound odd, but by sending money to a known payee, Vera would not receive notification from her bank about a new payee. Sneaky, right?

From there, the scammer contacted the business involved, and by impersonating Vera, claimed the payment had been made in error, and asked the business to refund the money. The catch is that the scammer gave the business a different account number and BSB for the cash to be forwarded to.

The business, not realising what was happening, obligingly repaid the money using the account details provided by the scammer.

Scenario snapshot #2

Jim (not his real name) was travelling overseas.

Like many international tourists, Jim used an eSIM at his overseas destination, which was registered to his mobile number. Even so, during part of Jim’s vacation he was in areas with limited internet access. Again, this is not unusual.

When Jim did regain service, he noticed several unauthorised transactions out of his bank account.

The worrying aspect of this fraud is that while Jim was out of range, the scammer had contacted his bank, and revealed sufficient personal details about Jim to have his internet banking code reset.

How can this happen?

These two quite different frauds share a few key aspects.

Most notably, the scammer must have been familiar with at least some of their victim’s banking and personal details.

This is a major red flag for all Australians not to share their personal or banking details with anyone.

It is also a reminder to change banking passwords regularly, aiming for passwords that crims won’t second-guess.

We know, for example, that around the world, the password 123456 is used by over 4 million accounts, and it takes crooks less than one second to crack the code.

Finally, check your account balances often. The sooner you identify an issue and contact Community First Bank, the quicker we can act to stop scammers in their tracks.

Remember, if anything feels amiss, act fast!

Contact Community First Bank immediately on 1300 13 22 77 if you’ve lost money and report the scam to Scamwatch for further assistance.


Are you paying credit card loyalty tax

Australians are losing billions by sticking with the same credit card.

New research shows Australians are losing billions of dollars by sticking with the same credit card provider. Community First makes savings easy with our Low Rate Credit Card.


A cost of living crunch is squeezing household budgets, but simple steps have the potential to put valuable savings back in your hip pocket and provide much-needed breathing space for your finances. 

One easy step is to take a look at the rate you’re paying on your credit card. 

Research firm Finder* says there are 13 million credit cards in circulation across Australia, and almost half (44%) have an ongoing balance that attracts interest.

But here’s the rub.

According to Finder, the average card interest rate is a hefty 14.2%p.a. It could make your credit card balance your most expensive debt!

Community First’s Low Rate Credit Card comes with an interest rate of just 8.99%p.a.¹ – or pay 0.00% for the first twelve months of a balance transfer.²

It’s one of the lowest rates in the market, and for our cardholders it could mean big savings if you carry an outstanding balance on your credit card.

That’s why our Low Rate Credit Card has received a Highly Commended Award from Finder for the past two years.

Time to skip the loyalty tax

Finder’s Amy Bradney-George, says, “Credit cards are often one of those things we ‘set and forget’.” And she admits, “It’s costing us.”

At a time when many of us are feeling the pinch of high living costs, it doesn’t make sense to stick with financial products that cost more than necessary.

Switching to a Community First Low Rate Credit Card gives you the advantage of:

• One of Australia’s lowest ongoing credit card rates
• The freedom to choose – credit limits from as low as $500
• Low annual fees, and
• The chance to support a great cause, with half the $50 annual card fee going towards either the McGrath Foundation (Low Rate Pink Credit Card) or the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (our Low Rate Blue Credit Card). 

Give interest a miss altogether

If you like the sound of zero card interest, check out Community First’s innovative n0w Credit Card. Pay no interest at all, just a low monthly fee starting from $9 per month³, depending on your chosen and approved limit (minimum repayments apply).

To discover how much you could save with a Community First Low Rate Credit Card or our n0w Credit Card, pop into one of our Community First stores or call the Community First team on 1300 13 22 77. 

Credit eligibility criteria, terms & conditions, fees & charges apply.

¹ Rates are current as at 31/03/2018 and subject to change without notice. 

² Offer terms and conditions:  Rate is current as at 5 March 2024 and subject to change without notice. This is an introductory rate for 12 months only on eligible balance transfers from the date the balance transfer is processed. The balance transfer must be processed via BPAY®. Your existing credit card must have a BPAY® Biller code to be eligible for the balance transfer offer. After the initial 12 month introductory period, the interest rate for the balance transferred will revert back to the standard credit card rate at the time – currently this is 8.99% p.a. Offer available for new and existing card holders where new balances are transferred to the card and offer can be withdrawn at any time. Excludes Balance Transfers from Community First or Easy Street cards.

³ We won’t charge you the monthly fee if you have a $0 balance for the whole calendar month and don’t use the card for the entire calendar month.

This information is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs (your “personal circumstances”). Before deciding whether to buy any product you should consider your personal circumstances. You should read and consider the Terms and Conditions when deciding to use any product (terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply). Our product Conditions of Use are available at communityfirst.com.au

*https://www.finder.com.au/australians-paying-credit-card-loyalty-tax-2024

® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518

Changes to our Christmas Cracker Account

On 1 February 2024, there will be some interest rate and fee changes to our Christmas Cracker account.

Changes effective 1 February 2024

On 1 February 2024, the interest rate on our Christmas Cracker account will increase to 5.00%p.a. and will be payable on balances up to $1 million.

Additionally, the early withdrawal penalty will increase from $5 to $20. This fee is applicable if you request to withdraw your funds between 1 February and 30 November.

Please note that interest rates are variable and subject to change.

Community First Bank unites in pink

The Virtual Pink Seats sold during 2024 Pink Test will allow the McGrath Foundation to fund an additional 240 McGrath Breast Care Nurses.

Community First unites in Pink for the McGrath Foundation’s Virtual Pink Seats campaign

It’s more than cricket

Australia’s success in the NRMA Insurance Pink Test was not limited to the cricket pitch; it extended to the community. Through overwhelming community support, the McGrath Foundation sold over 322,000 Virtual Pink Seats were sold, raising more than $6.44 million .

A Virtual Pink Seat is a unique avenue to express solidarity with families grappling with breast cancer. These seats exist solely in cyberspace and do not serve as tickets for the Pink Test. With every purchase, buyers receive a personalised Virtual Pink Seat, which they can share online to demonstrate their support for the McGrath Foundation and those it supports.

The Virtual Pink Seats sold during the 2024 Pink Test will allow the McGrath Foundation to fund an additional 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses. In total, this year, more than 4,600 families are anticipated to benefit from the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

Community First Bank’s proud support

Community First Bank proudly supported the Virtual Pink Seats campaign by purchasing 500 digital seats for the iconic Pink Cricket Test. John Tancevski, CEO of Community First Bank, said, “As a community-oriented financial institution, we understand the importance of supporting and contributing to events that bring people together and promote a sense of unity.

“The Pink Cricket Test not only showcases exceptional sport but also serves as a platform to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer care nurses.

“By securing 500 digital virtual seats, Community First Bank has helped to raise much-needed funds, as no one should go through breast cancer without the care of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse,” John added.

Beyond banking: A commitment to community

Community First Bank’s commitment to community engagement goes beyond traditional banking services and the McGrath Foundation aligns with the bank’s values of fostering connections and making a positive impact. The digital virtual seats purchased by Community First Bank underscore the bank’s dedication to leveraging technology to benefit the community.

John explained, “We are excited to participate in this meaningful initiative that utilises the latest technologies. We look forward to celebrating the spirit of cricket and the resilience of those affected by breast cancer through our support of the McGrath Foundation and the Pink Cricket Test.”

Community First’s partnership with the McGrath Foundation

Community First Bank has been a proud supporter of the McGrath Foundation since 2009, having raised donations totalling $1,369,573 for the Foundation.

This outstanding result could not have been achieved without the support of Community First Bank members. “Half the $50 annual fee from our Pink Credit Cards plus $1 of each monthly fee on our Pink Debit Cards is donated to the McGrath Foundation every year,” said John.

“Our support for the McGrath Foundation is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the community and to demonstrate that we are not just a financial institution, but a community minded organisation committed to making a tangible difference.



https://www.cricket.com.au/news/3852094/nrma-insurance-pink-test-caps-off-excellent-test-series-between-australia-and-pakistan#:~:text=The%20Pink%20Test%20also%20saw,raising%20more%20than%20%246.44%20million
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/blog/mcgrath-foundation-and-cricket-australia-thanks-community-for-uniting-in-pink-this-nrma-insurance-pink-test/

Top five Holiday Scams to look out for during the holiday season.

Fraudsters have honed their skills, check out the top 5 holiday scams in this article.


1. Fake accommodation sites

Fraudsters have honed their skills in replicating booking platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb, and, in some cases, have even created deceptive websites with fraudulent property listings. These scammers entice unsuspecting travellers with enticing last-minute offers that seem too good to be true, often incorporating genuine images of properties sourced from legitimate websites.

Notably, they prefer payment through bank transfers rather than secure debit or credit card transactions, complicating the process of recovering lost funds for victims. Remain vigilant against these tactics to safeguard your finances and ensure a secure booking experience.

2. Flight compensation offers

The declaration of flight cancellations by airlines serves as a catalyst for scammers who exploit the situation through various channels. These fraudsters utilise social media platforms to target passengers seeking refunds. Deceptive offers frequently manifest through text messages, phone calls, and, most prevalent, email communications, where scammers impersonate airlines, counterfeit agencies managing compensation claims, or even assume the identity of authoritative bodies like the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Contacting the companies directly is the best way to ensure you are speaking with the right organisation to protect yourself from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

3. Rip-off taxi fares

Tourists can easily become vulnerable to exploitative taxi drivers due to a language barrier or unfamiliarity with fare-pricing systems. Although taxis are generally well-regulated in popular holiday destinations, with fares visibly tracked on meters, a few drivers choose to flout the rules.

They may take unnecessary detours, quote inflated fixed rates, or feign misunderstanding of tourists’ requests, leading them to the wrong destination and subsequently charging exorbitant fares. Stay cautious to avoid falling victim to such practices.

4. Public Wi-Fi

While hotels, airports, cafes, and various attractions typically provide travellers with secure, private Wi-Fi connections, this is not always the case. Some self-catering holiday rentals and public areas may lack such secure networks.

Using public networks poses a risk, as information shared over these connections such as browsing history, location, and passwords can be visible to other users, including potential scammers. This exposure opens users to various risks, including fraud, theft, and malware attacks. Always exercise caution when accessing public Wi-Fi to safeguard your sensitive information. As a general rule do not connect to a public Wi-Fi network.

5. Holiday deals

When an offer seems too good to be true, it often is. Whether it claims to be from an airline, tour operator, hotel group, or an unfamiliar company, enticing deals may not be legitimate and could be a phishing attempt to extract your personal information. These scams come in various forms, such as flashy web page advertisements or emails in your inbox.

Some may lure recipients with promises of being “lucky winners” who need to “click here” to redeem an “exclusive offer.” If such offers appear unexpectedly, it’s wise to be sceptical. If in doubt about the authenticity of an offer, avoid clicking and instead visit the company’s official website to verify the legitimacy of the promotion.


If you’ve been scammed

Cease all communication with the fraudulent party without delay. It is imperative to promptly reach out to the relevant authorities to report all activities related to the scam. In addition to notifying law enforcement, consider reporting the incident via Scam Watch. Contact your bank immediately and clearly explain the circumstances surrounding the scam, providing any relevant documentation if available.

Take steps to halt any ongoing or potential future transactions to mitigate financial losses. This comprehensive approach ensures a swift response to the scam, both in terms of legal intervention and safeguarding your financial assets.

Proudly supporting Queenscliff Surf Life Saving

Community First Bank has enjoyed a long lasting relationship for nearly two decades, taking immense pride in being a dedicated sponsor for Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club.


A shared sense of community spanning nearly two decades

For 100 years, members of the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, have been patrolling Queenscliff Beach and its surrounds, providing surf lifesaving and first aid support to the surfing public and beach-going community.

Community First Bank has enjoyed a long-lasting relationship for nearly two decades, taking immense pride in being a dedicated sponsor for the Queenscliff Beach Surf Life Saving Club, supporting its crucial mission of ensuring beach safety and fostering a strong community bond.

Our sponsorship has spanned almost two decades, and has assisted with critical costs for the club such as Community First branded surf life-saving boats each year. We also sponsor the Queenscliff SLSC annual charity golf day to assist with the club’s additional fundraising efforts. We recognise Queenscliff SLSC as a major contributor to the safety of the community in which it operates.

This year we are proud to announce that we will be providing a much-needed ATV vehicle that will allow the surf live savers to patrol the beach and to move life-saving equipment quickly to where it is needed.

Queenscliff Surf Lifesaving Club recently raised it flags for the 100th year

From very humble beginnings, Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club Inc was formed on the 15th January 1924 following a public meeting called to provide surf lifesaving activities on the northern end of the Manly beachfront. Since 1924 club members have patrolled Queenscliff Beach and its surrounds providing surf lifesaving and first aid support to the surfing public and the beach community. Queenscliff is one of twenty one Surf Life Saving clubs that are affiliated with Sydney Northern Beaches (SLS), which in turn is affiliated with Surf Life Saving NSW as well as Surf Life Saving Australia.

An unwavering commitment to beach safety

Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of beachgoers and fostering a vibrant community spirit along the shores of Queenscliff. Established with a commitment to safeguarding lives, this surf life-saving club boasts a dedicated team of trained volunteers who tirelessly patrol the beach, ready to respond to emergencies and provide assistance to those in need. Through regular training sessions and community engagement initiatives, the club not only excels in its primary mission of water safety but also actively promotes a sense of camaraderie and awareness about beach safety within the local community.

The Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club serves as a beacon of resilience and community service, standing as a testament to the importance of beach safety. Beyond the vigilant lifeguard patrols, the club organises educational programs, surf sports events, and community activities to instil a deep appreciation for the ocean and its potential hazards. With its unwavering commitment to the well-being of beach enthusiasts, Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club contributes significantly to the overall safety and enjoyment of this picturesque coastal environment.

Our commitment extends beyond financial contributions; it’s a partnership built on shared sense of community. As a sponsor, we are honoured to continue to make a contribution to the club to enable their important work to continue. Together, we celebrate the spirit of community and the invaluable service provided by this outstanding organisation.

Reward your finances for going green

More Australians are choosing an electric vehicle, we look at how a low rate Green Car Loan can help you save the planet and your pocket.

New vehicle sales have been breaking records, and with more Australians choosing an electric vehicle, we look at how a low rate Green Car Loan can help you save the planet and your pocket.

Australians may be facing a cost-of-living squeeze but that hasn’t stopped us rushing out in droves to buy a new car.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reports new vehicle sales for September 2023 topped 110,000 – a monthly record that puts annual sales on track to reach 1 million by the end of the year¹.


Aussies are embracing green cars

What’s interesting is that more of us are choosing electric vehicles.

The FCAI says battery electric vehicles accounted for 8.0% of sales while electrified vehicles (battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid) accounted for almost one in five (18.3%) new vehicles sold in September. In 2019, this figure was just 3.2%.

In the first half of 2023 alone, 46,624 electric vehicles (EVs) had been sold in Australia – almost 3 times higher than the same period in 2022 (a 269% increase)².

And it seems we’re not done yet.

EVs look set to fill Aussie roads as consumer demand skyrockets.

A Finder survey³ found 1 in 4 (25%) Australians – equivalent to 5 million people – are planning to buy a car in the next 12 months. And almost 2 in 5 car buyers (39%) said they will be buying an electric or hybrid vehicle in the next 12 months.

That’s potentially 2 million extra electric or hybrid vehicle owners on our roads within the next year.



Why are electric cars so popular?

Finder’s Gary Ross Hunter explains the soaring popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles saying, “From saving money to reducing their carbon footprint – Aussie drivers are ditching petrol cars in droves.

“The upfront cost is becoming less prohibitive, especially with petrol prices above $2 a litre.

“He adds, “For pure EVs, the charging infrastructure has also become much more accessible making it feel less daunting to go electric.”

With fraud ever prevalent, the One-Time Password is a critical security feature to better protect your personal information and data. If you don’t have a mobile number, or chose not to provide one, your Internet Banking experience will not include full access to features you may use today. You can continue to access our online services but may encounter restrictions where the OTP is a mandatory requirement. We still offer a number of ways to bank including Bank@Post and our store network.

How much can I save with an electric vehicle?

The savings on eco-friendly cars can be impressive.

According to Finder’s Green Report 2023, the estimated annualised savings from switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is $1,120.

It’s possible to save even more by looking for a ‘green’ car loan that rewards motorists for choosing a low emission car. You can review the current rate by going to www.communityfirst.com.au and searching for green car loans to see the rates.


Community First’s Green Car Loan gives EV buyers an exceptionally low rate (fixed or variable) for up to 7 years.

Available for new electric and hybrid cars, Community First’s Green Loan also comes with handy features. For example, we can arrange a swift conditional approval so you can start car hunting straight away.

You can also add the cost of an EV charging station to your loan.

Drive the savings higher

If an electric or hybrid car is on your wish list, Community First’s Green Car Loan can drive extra savings.

It’s a great way to feel good about reducing emissions while putting you in the driver’s seat of a value-packed loan.


¹https://www.fcai.com.au/news/index/view/news/807
²https://electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/State-of-EVs_July-2023_.pdf
³https://www.finder.com.au/electric-hybrid-vehicle-era-2023
⁴https://mozo.com.au/car-loans/interest-rates#:~:text=Currently%20in%20the%20Mozo%20database,loans%20is%20higher%20at%207.99%25.

Credit eligibility criteria, terms & conditions, fees & charges apply.
This information is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs (your “personal circumstances”). Before deciding whether to buy any product on this website you should consider your personal circumstances. You should read and consider the Terms and Conditions when deciding to use any product (terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply). Our product Conditions of Use are available on this website.


2023 64th Annual General Meeting

Community First is a member owned organisation. As a member, you can attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to catch up with the past year’s performance; to listen to plans for the future; to have your say and to vote on any matter on the Agenda.

Details for your diary | 64th Annual General Meeting

Place: Community First
67-73 St Hilliers Road, Auburn (entrance via Hall Street)

Date: Thursday 16 November 2023

Time: Registration of attendees will commence at 1.00pm. The meeting will commence at 2pm.

RSVP: To assist us in arranging seating please let us know if you are attending by calling 1300 13 22 77 or emailing askus@communityfirst.com.au by 3 November 2023.

If you are a member over the age of 18 and a current member shareholder, you are eligible to vote at the AGM.

The business at hand

In accordance with the Constitution of Community First three Directors, being Ken Pickering, Rocky Scopelliti and Gary Thomson will retire this year, and being eligible for re-election, intend to stand again. Should you wish to nominate someone for a position on the Board, an official nomination form can be obtained by contacting Community First Direct on 1300 13 22 77. All nominations must be received by the Returning Officer at the address shown on the nomination form by 4.00pm Friday 11 August 2023. If there are more than three nominations, a postal ballot will be conducted, otherwise the current directors will be re-elected.

The Banking Act and the related Fit and Proper Australian Prudential Standard, requires that directors or potential directors of an Authorised Deposit-Taking Institution, of which Community First is one, be subject to a “Fit and Proper Person” test. This includes conducting checks with the Australian Federal Police, Bankruptcy Registers, the ASIC Register of Banned and Disqualified Persons and be eligible to be registered and approved as an accountable person with APRA and under any relevant prudential standard.

The standards also require that a director of an Authorised Deposit-Taking Institution must have appropriate skills, experience and knowledge and must act with honesty and integrity. The Board Nominations Committee, whose role is to review nominees for the position of Director and advise members of the suitability of the nominee to fulfil the role of Director of Community First, will interview candidates for the election of directors, including the retiring directors, to verify their claimed knowledge and experience to ensure they have the necessary skills for the role and to establish a view as to whether or not they will be considered suitable for election as directors.

Further information

The official notice of Community First’s AGM has been sent to members who have opted in to receive a copy. It has been advertised in the Public Notices section of The Sydney Morning Herald at least 21 days prior to the AGM.

The notice will also be displayed in each of our Financial Services Stores (within the printed Focus newsletter) and available from our website here.

Copies of Financial Statements and the Report of the Directors will be available at each of our Financial Services Stores no later than 24 October 2023.

Members can elect to receive meeting related documents or Annual Reports in hard copies or electronically at any time or elect not to receive Annual Reports.

Attendance at the AGM

Attendance at the AGM and other meetings of members of Community First enables members to:

– Participate in the governance of Community First;
– Discuss any proposal you would like the Directors to consider in the future for Community First.
– Ask the auditor questions about the conduct of the audit and about the preparation and content of the auditor’s report.

You have the option of appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf at this meeting. Your proxy can be a person specifically named by you or can be the Chairperson of the meeting, as stated by you on the proxy form. You may request a proxy form by emailing askus@communityfirst.com.au.