Customer Owned Banking

18/09/2026

Against the backdrop of Australia's challenge, customer-owned banks are demonstrating how innovation, competition and purpose can be one part of the solution.

As member-owned institutions, they exist to serve the long-term interests of their customers and communities. This means tailored products, competitive rates, and a willingness to forgo excessive profits in favour of member wellbeing.

From cooperative housing partnerships and government-backed shared equity schemes to impact lending and inclusive mortgage assessments, read more about how institutions like Bank First, Bank of us Tasmania and Bank Australia are exploring new ways to expand access to home ownership.

Link here: https://lnkd.in/gX7Dxv9v

16/09/2026

With major events like the AFL and NRL finals kicking off, COBA is urging sports fans to stay vigilant for scammers looking to cash in with fake ticket sales.

Ticket scams can involve fake listings, hacked social media accounts posing as legitimate sellers, or even fraudulent websites designed to steal payment and personal information.

This footy season, a few extra checks could save you from losing money and missing out on game day.

Learn more about ticket scams and how to spot the warning signs: https://www.customerownedbanking.asn.au/afl-nrl-finals-how-to-avoid-ticket-scams/

14/09/2026

From internal fraud and scam prevention to financial abuse and identity takeovers, COBA's recent Financial Crimes Symposium explored some of the key issues shaping the financial crime and cyber resilience landscape.

Over two days, experts from across the sector came together to share intelligence, expertise, and discuss practical responses to emerging risks.

A big thank you to all our speakers, panellists and attendees for the valuable knowledge sharing and discussions. Together, we're strengthening the sector's ability to keep members and communities safe from financial harm.

We also celebrated some of the professionals making an outstanding contribution to preventing, detecting, and disrupting financial crime in customer-owned banking with the inaugural COBA Compass Awards. Congratulations to Aleesha Tillitzki (Defence Bank), Lorraine Forshaw (Community First Bank), and Sam Groom (Bank of us Tasmania) for this well-deserved recognition!

07/09/2026

COBA attended last week, connecting with fintechs and industry leaders across the financial services ecosystem. Our members also took part in a panel exploring what makes a fintech proposition stack up for a customer-owned bank, from solving the right problem and demonstrating member value to finding the right fit on implementation, risk, and long-term partnership.

Customer-owned banks have a strong appetite to innovate, and partnerships continue to be an important part of how the sector does that. Intersekt is an important opportunity to strengthen the connection between our sector and the community, building greater understanding on both sides of where the opportunities, and challenges, lie.

BankVic Teachers Mutual Bank

04/09/2026

Giving back sits at the heart of the customer-owned banking model, reinvesting profits into initiatives that help local communities grow strong and thrive.

This , we're spotlighting how three customer-owned banks are partnering with local charities and community organisations to deliver lasting impact, supporting causes ranging from youth development and homelessness services to financial wellbeing, local sports, and food security.

Read the full story here: https://www.customerownedbanking.asn.au/international-day-of-charity-helping-communities-thrive/

Queensland Country Bank Beyond Bank Bank Orange

03/09/2026

For more than 150 years, customer-owned banks have helped Australians overcome barriers to homeownership, with financial inclusion at the heart of their purpose.

Appearing before the Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity today, COBA highlighted the sector’s long history in helping everyday Australians, essential workers, and vulnerable communities achieve the dream of homeownership.

"Housing inequity is not a new phenomenon; in many ways, inequity is the very reason our sector was formed,” said COBA Senior Manager Policy Robert Thomas.

“When traditional institutions refused to lend to working-class Australians or single women, everyday people pooled their money to help one another buy homes. Today, 95 per cent of our lending is for home loans, with 80 per cent supporting owner-occupiers.”

He was joined by Bank First Chief Executive Officer Michelle Bagnall and Bank of us Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Paul Ranson, outlining how mutual banks are supporting essential workers and regional communities through tailored lending solutions and community-focused banking.

COBA stressed that although increasing housing supply is critical, a diverse banking sector is important to give Australians access to purpose-led institutions offering competitive rates, tailored products, and market leading service.

“A competitive and diverse banking sector is essential to ensure everyday Australians have fair access to finance and genuine consumer choice. We are proud of the role we play in that ecosystem, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can do even more,” Mr Thomas said.

Read more: https://www.customerownedbanking.asn.au/housing-inequality-inquiry-senate-coba/

02/09/2026

In the wake of the recent Nepal-Tibet floods, COBA is urging well-intentioned Australians to be vigilant of charity scams. This could look like fake websites, fake crowdfunding platforms, sometimes even cold calls.

“The flood disaster in Nepal and Tibet is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with those grieving and anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones. It’s natural that many of us will want to help. Unfortunately, scammers recognise that natural disasters like this can trigger strong emotional responses, and they try to create a false sense of urgency to convince people to donate quickly without checking whether an appeal is genuine,” said COBA Head of Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience Martin Latimer.

To help ensure your donations reach legitimate organisations and those most in need, explore these useful tips from COBA's Financial Crime and Cyber Resilience team: https://www.customerownedbanking.asn.au/nepal-tibet-flood-tragedy-charity-scam/

01/09/2026

Last week, COBA became a founding industry partner of the Buy Australian AI Partnership.

Led by Stone & Chalk and supported by the Australian Government through the National AI Centre, the initiative aims to help Australian AI companies connect with local organisations and support the growth of the country’s domestic AI industry.

The initiative is supported by organisations across Australia's banking, insurance, technology and business sectors, including COBA, Australian Banking Association, Insurance Council of Australia, and CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia).

Backing Australian innovation aligns with the customer-owned banking sector's long-standing commitment to helping communities thrive. For more than 180 years, purposeful innovation has been a key part of customer-owned banking. Smart technology can streamline operations and reduce costs, freeing up resources so customer-owned banks can continue focusing on what they do best: delivering purpose-led banking that puts people and communities first.

Read more about the initiative: https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/charlton/media/buy-australian-ai-partnership-boost-homegrown-ai-adoption

28/08/2026

As we mark , it's great to see customer-owned banks taking scam awareness directly into the communities they serve.

The Mutual Bank recently hosted its free scam awareness event 'Tea & Tips' for the second year running, bringing together customers and community members at the local golf club to share practical advice on how to stay .

Featuring a panel of speakers, the event prompted plenty of audience questions and discussions around emerging financial crime threats, recognising the warning signs of a scam, and what to do if you've been targeted.

It's a powerful example of the mutual banking model in action, combining personalised service with community engagement to meet customers where they are and provide trusted support and education. When in doubt, always remember to STOP. CHECK. PROTECT.

27/08/2026

While many borrowers look to the major investor-owned banks when comparing home loans, new research by EY Australia suggests consumers could be overlooking a competitive alternative. Australia's customer-owned banks are typically offering lower rates, potentially saving borrowers hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.

But the mutual difference goes beyond rates, with the report highlighting the sector's customer-first approach, meaningful investment in the diverse communities they serve, competitive products, and important contributions to Australia's broader economy.

So what does it mean to bank with purpose, and how do Australians benefit from the mutual model?

Read these insights and more from COBA CEO Michael Lawrence in Money Magazine this week: https://www.moneymag.com.au/the-little-known-banks-that-could-cut-your-mortgage-costs

Often overlooked by borrowers, customer-owned banks are offering some of the sharpest home loan rates on the market.