Important information

Explore the new Unity Bank website

Welcome to the new Unity Bank website! We're excited to announce that the new Unity Bank website is now live and ready for you to explore. What’s New Enjoy an enhanced online experience with a seamless, user-friendly, and modern interface. Although the design is fresh, our core values and commitment to your financial security and success remain the same. For Reliance Bank Members, if you have previously bookmarked the Reliance Bank website URL, don't worry! You can still access the new website via www.reliancebank.com.au, and be seamlessly redirected to the fresh experience at www.unitybank.com.au. Also, the website now features Reliance Bank information and contact details in conjunction with the Unity Bank brand. Internet Banking The new website has clearly marked separate login buttons for Unity Bank and Reliance Bank Internet Banking in the top-right corner, which operate the same as they do now. Why Did We Move to One Website? The costs involved in maintaining two websites are significant, and we are conscious that it is your money as a member-owned bank. The products and services are the same for Reliance Bank and Unity Bank, so it makes sense not to duplicate the costs and resources involved in maintaining two websites. Support and Contact Information Contact details, branch addresses, and member support information for both Unity Bank and Reliance Bank are prominently displayed on the website, ensuring easy access to assistance when needed. If you have any questions or need assistance exploring the new website, please do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 36 2000.

Important information

Savings Interest Rate Changes

We are increasing the interest rates for the following savings products, effective 1 December 2023. Pensioner Security Account S8 for balances $1 - $45,400 interest rate increased by 0.10% to 2.86%1. Pensioner Security Account S8 for balances $45,400.01 and over interest rate increased by 0.10% to 3.00%1. For more details, please see our latest interest rate schedule below. Savings Interest Rate Schedule   Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply.1. Interest is calculated daily and paid quarterly. Special Note: Members over 65 years of age are automatically exempt from paying the Monthly Usage Fee, no application for exemption forms are required.

Security

Cyber security awareness month

'Be cyber wise - don't compromise' October is Cyber Security month and an annual reminder for all Australians to stay secure online. Unity Bank supports Cyber Security Awareness Month, showing our commitment to your security and privacy online. We will continue to raise awareness to remind all members of the importance of adopting strong digital security. This year, we encourage you to ‘Be cyber wise – don’t compromise’. There are 4 simple steps you can take to be cyber wise and significantly boost your cyber security: 1. Update your devices regularly Turn on automatic updates for your devices and software. This ensures you have the latest security in place.  Check out our top tips to stay cyber secure Learn how to update your devices Test your knowledge by taking Australian Cyber Security Centre’s short quiz: how cyber secure are you 2. Protect your accounts with multi-factor authentication. Turn on multi-factor authentication to add another layer of protection to your accounts.  Learn about protected your account with multi-factor authentication Use the how-to-guide to protect your devices and accounts using multi-factor authentication 3. Back up your important file Safeguard your data from threats and avoid costly data recovery by having your important files backed up. Set up and perform regular backups Use Australian Cyber Security Centre's advice for backups to learn more about the files and devices to back up regularly.  4. Use passphrases and password managers Passphrases are passwords that use 4 or more random words. Don’t compromise your accounts by re-using passwords or passphrases. Consider using a password manager to help generate or store secure and unique passwords. Set secure passphrases protect your passphrases using a password manager.  If you suspect someone has gained access to your personal information, you should contact us immediately on 1300 36 2000. You can also report a scam through the Scam Watch website, and find additional information on scams and how to protect yourself. 

Community

2023 Trundle Bush Tucker Day

Two Unity Bank employees, Erika and Issac, had the opportunity to attend and represent Unity Bank at the 2023 Trundle Bush Tucker Day on 2 September 2023. It is a beloved Australian festival for the whole family to enjoy. Read about Erika’s experience: “Issac Theobald, myself with my husband tagging along as a driver, went out to be a part of the Trundle Bush Tucker Day event. This was held at the Trundle Showground arena. The weather put on a spectacular show, which encouraged good participation from many in the community. They had live entertainment on the centre stage with various singers throughout the day, and vendor stalls were positioned to create an alleyway moving down towards the centre stage. The type of vendors participating in the festivities included local blacksmiths, metal garden art stalls, country clothing and bootwear, and a group of arts and craft stalls selling homemade food items and kitchen apparel. Along the perimeter of the showground, large fire pits were being manned to provide stations for the bush ovens where various bush tucker recipes were being cooked, along with some smaller ground oven pits with large pots offering a variety of dishes. They also had the Australian National Female whip cracking champion who had just returned from the World Championships where she was placed 3rd. She had whip-cracking displays throughout the day, entertaining the crowds. She was amazing and very skilled at her craft. Adult ticket price was set at $50 a single ticket with $5 for children under 16yrs. All profit funds for the day were to be distributed back into the Trundle Community, supporting local groups such as Trundle Men’s Shed, Trundle Pony Club, and the Country Women’s Association groups in Trundle. I had two local community members approach me to tell me how much they appreciated having Unity Bank in their community, noting the distances they would need to travel to do their banking if we were not in town. Supporting events like the Trundle Bush Tucker Day gives weight to our commitment to smaller rural communities.” If you would like to find out more about Trundle Bush Tucker Day, visit their Facebook page.

Home Loans

Unity Bank joins NSW's Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, making homeownership dreams a reality!

  Dear Members, It gives me great pleasure to announce some incredibly exciting news. Starting from the 1st of July, Unity Bank will become a participating lender in NSW’s Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper. Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper is an initiative to help lower-income single parents, older singles, and first-home buyers who are key workers realise the dream of owning their own home. Under this program, the government will contribute a proportion of the purchase price in exchange for an equivalent interest in the property. Smaller deposits, no lenders mortgage insurance, and no interest on the Government’s equity share means this initiative is a great option for eligible singles and key workers who no longer want to rent and prefer the security of home ownership. Unity Bank was founded on the principle of supporting everyday Australians. As such, being in a position where we can help those who are struggling to break into the housing market is something we don’t take lightly. For Unity Bank to be selected for Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper from an extensive list of candidates is an amazing achievement and something we should all be very proud of. For me, this acknowledgement is a reflection of Unity Bank’s continual drive and dedication to our members. If you would like further information on NSW’s Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, or to find out if you are eligible for the initiative, please visit https://www.unitybank.com.au/shared-equity-home-buyer-helper.html. With all this in motion and much more to come, 2023 is shaping up to be another stellar year for Unity Bank. We look forward to servicing new and existing members through Shared Equity from the 1st of July. Yours faithfully,Danny PavisicChief Executive Officer

Security

Risks associated with investments promised via Facebook

We are urging our Members to be cautious of investments promised via Facebook Marketplace. Scammers via Facebook Marketplace use a variety of tactics to manipulate buyers and sellers of the platform, often disguising themselves as one or the other. These scammers often send emails or text messages that reflect an investment scheme asking you to click on a link to find out more.   Possible scenario Fake emails are sent to Marketplace sellers that look like they’re from a payment service such as PayPal confirming a payment has been made for the product you are selling. However, no payment has been made, and the scammer has received the product for ‘free’.   How to protect yourself from this type of scam Take time to read suspicious emails or text messages (scammers often use urgency as a tactic to trick you into giving money or personal information). Check the email thoroughly (these emails often mention a problem that needs a solution quickly). Check the facts and details before taking action. Do not send any personal data or information (often these scammers use profile pictures of employees in a familiar business to convince you of their legitimacy). If you believe you have been scammed, call us immediately on 1300 36 2000.