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Trust is built here: Privacy Awareness Week 2026

Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) is a national initiative that promotes awareness of privacy rights and responsibilities and the importance of protecting personal information.   This year, PAW runs from 4-10 May 2026, with the theme “Trust is built here. In every privacy complaint. In every resolution.”   At The Mutual Bank, trust is at the heart of everything we do. Protecting your personal information, and responding respectfully if you ever have a concern, is an important part of how we earn and keep that trust.  This year’s theme focuses on building public confidence through strong privacy practices, including how organisations respond to privacy concerns and complaints. In other words: trust isn’t just about what we say, it’s built through what we do, especially when something goes wrong and needs to be put right.   How we protect your information  Our Privacy Notice explains how we collect and use personal information, who we may share it with, how you can access and correct your information, and how you can raise concerns about our privacy practices.   We also take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference and loss, and from unauthorised access, disclosure or modification. We review our privacy practices regularly to ensure they remain appropriate.  You can view our Privacy Policy here: Privacy Policy.   A few practical tips to help protect your privacy  Be cautious about sharing personal information online or over the phone.  Use strong, unique passwords and enable extra security steps where available.  Watch out for unexpected messages asking you to “confirm” details or click a link.  Keep your devices updated and lock your screen when you’re not using it.   Have a question or concern about privacy?  If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy, you can contact our Privacy Officer:   Phone: 1300 688 825   Email: info@themutual.com.au   Address: PO Box 2487, Green Hills, NSW, 2320.    Want to learn more about PAW 2026?  Learn more about the national campaign and the 2026 theme on the OAIC website: Privacy Awareness Week 2026 

Scam Awareness

Stay alert: Bank impersonation scams are on the rise

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with recent reports showing a rise in bank impersonation scams across Australia.  While these scams have not affected The Mutual Bank, we want to remind our Members to stay alert and aware, as smaller banks and mutuals are now being targeted alongside the majors.  What is a bank impersonation scam?  A scammer pretends to be from a bank’s fraud team. They often have convincing personal information such as your name, card number and sometimes your date of birth.  Scammers may:  Contact you by phone or text pretending to be your bank  Ask for access to accounts or security codes  Ask you to urgently transfer money to another account “for safety”    They may even send messages that appear in the same message thread as genuine bank messages.  Remember!   It’s important to remember:  We will never ask you to move your money to another account  We will never ask for one-time passcodes, PINs or passwords  We will not pressure you to act urgently over the phone or by text  If you’re ever unsure, please hang up and contact us using the phone number listed on our public website.    Watch: How bank impersonation scams work  This video explains how scammers impersonate banks and why their tactics can seem so believable.  Awareness is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself. By staying alert and knowing what to look out for, you can help keep your money and personal information safe. 

Community

Experience a Piece of Regional History at Warbirds Over Scone | Proudly Supported by The Mutual Bank

The Mutual Bank is honoured to once again support Warbirds Over Scone, returning in March 2026 as one of the Hunter region’s most iconic and historically significant events. More than an airshow, Warbirds Over Scone stands as a powerful celebration of aviation heritage and the stories that have shaped our region’s identity.  Hosted at Scone Airport 28 – 29 March, and set against the backdrop of the Hunter Valley, this two-day festival brings history to life with one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most remarkable collections of vintage and wartime aircraft. Highlights for 2026 include: Australia’s largest gathering of Supermarine Spitfires since WWII  A spectacular assembly of Mustangs, Kittyhawks, classic trainers and heritage favourites  The world’s only flying F4U1D Corsair  Australia’s only airworthy Vampire and the legendary Sea Fury “Southern Cross”  Aerobatic displays from Paul Bennet Airshows  Dozens of aircraft on static display, including rare heritage jets and meticulously restored warbirds  Visitors can also explore the Hunter Warbirds museum, enjoy adventure and helicopter flights, browse market stalls, view classic cars and take in a festival atmosphere that blends history, community and family fun.    Preserving Heritage. Supporting Community. Strengthening the Region.  As a customer owned bank, The Mutual Bank exists to support the people and places that make the Hunter region unique. Our partnership with Warbirds Over Scone reflects our shared commitment to celebrating local heritage and preserving the stories that define our community owned bank, The Mutual Bank exists to support the people and places that make the Hunter region unique. Our partnership with Warbirds Over Scone reflects our shared commitment to celebrating local heritage and preserving the stories that define our community.  For more than 135 years, we’ve reinvested our profits into what matters most:  Award winning home and personal lending winning home and personal lending  Personalised, community focused service focused service  Partnerships and events that honour and strengthen our region’s character  Warbirds Over Scone captures the rich aviation history and enduring spirit of the Upper Hunter – a spirit The Mutual Bank has proudly supported since 1888.     

Erin Howells Returns to Lead Internal Audit at The Mutual Bank

The Mutual Bank is pleased to welcome Erin Howells back to the organisation, returning to her role as Head of Internal Audit and rejoining the Executive team. Erin joined The Mutual Bank in May 2023 and was appointed to the Executive team in September 2023. Following a brief period away from the organisation, she has now returned to continue supporting strong governance and assurance outcomes for our members. Erin brings more than 18 years’ experience in the financial services sector, with a strong background in customer-owned banking organisations. Her deep understanding of the mutual banking environment, combined with her leadership expertise, positions her to make a significant contribution to the continued strength and effectiveness of The Mutual Bank’s internal audit function. In this role, Erin will help strengthen governance, risk management and assurance practices across the organisation, supporting the ongoing effectiveness of our internal control environment. We look forward to the expertise and leadership Erin will bring as we continue to serve our members and communities.

Changes to The Mutual Bank Interest Rates

The Mutual Bank will make changes to its deposit and lending interest rates following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision on 17 March 2026 to increase the official cash rate by 0.25% to 4.10%.  Chief Member Officer, Matthew Dunnill, said The Mutual Bank continues to carefully balance the needs of both depositor and borrower Members.   “The Mutual Bank’s interest rates remain under regular review, to ensure we remain both competitive and sustainable,” Matthew said.   “We seek to balance the needs of both our depositor Members and borrower Members, by delivering consistently competitive rates across our range of products.”   Term Deposits  Term Deposit rates will increase for most terms, effective 20 March 2026  Savings Accounts  Some Savings Account interest rates will increase by 0.25%, effective 9 April 2026   Home Loan and Business Lending Changes   For existing borrowers:   Variable interest rates for Owner Occupied, Investment, Business and Commercial Home Loans will increase by 0.25% p.a., effective 9 April 2026. Members will receive written notification outlining their revised repayment amounts.  Fixed interest rates for Owner Occupied, Investment and Business Loans will increase, effective 23 March 2026.    Support for Members Experiencing Financial Pressure   Matthew encouraged any Member feeling the impact of rising living costs to reach out early.   “Please reach out to your Lending Manager, visit a branch or phone our Hunter-based Contact Centre Team on 1300 688 825. Based on your circumstances, our team can assess your eligibility for a range of support options such as loan deferrals, interest-only periods, or other appropriate relief.”   Members can view the full list of The Mutual Bank’s current interest rates here.   

Home and Property

Get Rewarded with a $200 eGift Card When You Insure with CGU

Looking to protect your home, car, or investment property? Now’s the perfect time. From 3 March to 28 April, The Mutual Bank is offering a $200 eGift card for every new eligible CGU insurance policy taken out. Whether it’s Building, Contents, Landlords, or Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance, you’ll be rewarded for helping secure your peace of mind. How it works Take out a new eligible CGU policy through The Mutual Bank. Ensure your policy starts during the offer period and is paid in full or first instalment. Receive your $200 eGift card via email or SMS within 8 weeks of the campaign end. Ready to insure and be rewarded? Visit CGU Insurance campaign, call into a branch or call us on 1300 688 825. Promotion valid from 3 March until 28 April 2026. The eGift Card will be provided per eligible policy, not per person. Terms and conditions apply.  The Mutual Bank ABN 94 087 651 983, AFSL 238139 acts under its own AFSL and under an agreement with the issuer Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722, AFSL 227681 under the CGU brand. Any advice provided is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (your personal circumstances). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant the PDS and TMD from the CGU website https://www.cgu.com.au/partner/policy-booklets.  

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Member Notices Event Scams Sponsorship Interest Rates Budgeting

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Member Notices Event Scams Sponsorship Interest Rates Budgeting