Award recognition for The Mutual Bank

A great banking product may attract attention, but great service earns trust.  That combination has seen The Mutual Bank recognised on the national stage once again, taking out Term Deposit Account of the Year (Customer-Owned Bank) at the 2026 WeMoney Awards while also earning finalist recognition across five additional categories, including two awards for customer service excellence.  The win marks the second consecutive year The Mutual Bank has received the prestigious term deposit award, reinforcing its position as a leader in delivering value for Members through its customer-owned model.  The award recognises The Mutual Bank's ability to deliver strong value for Australian savers through competitive rates, flexible term options and the confidence of banking with a customer-owned institution. At a time when many Australians are looking for secure ways to grow their savings, the award reinforces The Mutual Bank's commitment to helping Members make their money work harder.  The Mutual Bank was also named a finalist in:  Best for Flexibility (Term Deposits)  Best Low Rate Credit Card (Customer-Owned Bank)  Excellent Rates & Fees (Customer-Owned Bank)  Outstanding Customer Service (Credit Cards)  Outstanding Customer Service (Savings Accounts)  The customer service finalist nominations are particularly significant for The Mutual Bank, recognising excellence across both Savings Accounts and Credit Cards. The recognition reflects the bank's ongoing investment in personalised service, local expertise and meaningful Member relationships.  The Mutual Bank CEO Mark Williams said the results demonstrate the bank's commitment to delivering both competitive products and exceptional member experiences.  "We're incredibly proud to receive this recognition from WeMoney, particularly at a time when Australians are looking not only for competitive products, but a banking experience they can trust.  "While winning Term Deposit Account of the Year for a second consecutive year is a fantastic achievement, being named a finalist in two Outstanding Customer Service categories is equally meaningful.  "We're particularly pleased to receive this recognition while many Australians are focused on building their savings and financial security. This award reinforces that our term deposit offering continues to provide outstanding value for Members.  "As a customer-owned bank, service isn't something we see as a department. It's part of every interaction, every conversation and every decision we make for our Members. These recognitions reflect the dedication of our people and their commitment to helping people thrive."  Matthew Ikin, Executive General Manager at WeMoney, said The Mutual Bank's continued success demonstrates its leadership within the customer-owned banking sector.  "These back-to-back wins cement The Mutual's position as a true market leader."  WeMoney now reaches more than 1.4 million Australians, with 93% of its audience made up of Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The awards help consumers identify financial institutions delivering exceptional value and service, while providing winners such as The Mutual Bank with valuable credibility among younger Australians choosing who they bank with.  Since 1888, The Mutual Bank has been helping people thrive through competitive products, personalised service and meaningful community support. This latest recognition reflects the strength of a banking model built around people, not shareholders.  Awards and ratings are one factor consumers may consider when choosing a financial product and should not be relied on as the sole basis for a decision.

2026 Business Hunter award finalists

The Mutual Bank is proud to be recognised as a finalist in multiple categories at the 2026 Business Hunter Awards, reflecting its ongoing commitment to its people, Members and the Hunter community.  The customer-owned bank has been named a finalist in:  Contribution to the Region  Excellence in Large Business (100+ Employees)  Employer of Choice (21 Employees and Over)  Outstanding Employee, recognising Bronte Edwards  The acknowledgement follows a year of continued investment in people, technology and community initiatives that support The Mutual Bank's purpose of helping people thrive.  Chief Executive Officer Mark Williams said being named a finalist reflects the efforts of employees across the organisation and its commitment to supporting Members and communities across the region.  "We're delighted to be named a finalist across a number of categories in this year's Business Hunter Awards," Mr Williams said.  "For us, these nominations reflect the commitment our people make every day to support our Members, strengthen our workplace and contribute positively to the communities we serve. We're proud to see those efforts recognised."  The Mutual Bank's nominations for Contribution to the Region and Excellence in Large Business recognise its long-standing role in supporting the local economy through lending, employment, community partnerships and local decision-making.  The Employer of Choice nomination reflects the Bank's focus on building a positive and inclusive workplace, supported by leadership development, wellbeing initiatives, flexibility and opportunities for employees to grow and contribute.  The Outstanding Employee nomination recognises Head of Data and Analytics, Bronte Edwards, whose leadership has strengthened the Bank's data capability, driven innovation and helped build future capability across the organisation.  Mr Williams said the recognition also highlights the important role customer-owned banking continues to play across the Hunter region.   "As a customer-owned bank, our success has always been closely linked to the success of the communities around us," Mr Williams said.  "For more than a century, we've been focused on helping local people, businesses and communities thrive. As the region continues to grow and change, we're continuing to invest in the communities we serve, so our Members can access the support they need close to home. We're honoured to be recognised alongside so many respected organisations and look forward to celebrating the achievements of the Hunter business community."  The 2026 Business Hunter Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership across the region, recognising organisations that make a meaningful contribution to the Hunter community. Winners will be announced at the Business Hunter Awards event in September this year. 

Community

The Mutual Bank named Business of the Year at Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards

The Mutual Bank has been named as one of the Hunter Region’s leading organisations, winning both the prestigious Business of the Year title and the Financial and Real Estate Services category at the 2026 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards. The dual recognition highlights the Bank’s longstanding commitment to delivering personalised, Member‑owned banking while supporting the financial wellbeing of local families, businesses and communities. Chief Executive Officer Mark Williams said the recognition was particularly meaningful given the Bank’s deep connection to the region. “This recognition reflects the trust our Members place in us every day,” Mr Williams said. “To be named Business of the Year, alongside winning our category, is an incredible honour and a testament to our people, our purpose and our connection to the Hunter. “Being recognised in a region like the Hunter – known for its resilience, strong relationships and community spirit – makes this achievement particularly meaningful for our organisation.” Established in 1888, The Mutual Bank has supported generations of Members, reinvesting profits back into better rates, services and local initiatives rather than paying dividends to shareholders. As a Member‑owned bank, its purpose has remained unchanged for more than 137 years: to champion the financial wellbeing of Members and contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Mr Williams said the awards belongs not only to the organisation, but to the people behind it. “This recognition is shared with our team, whose care and commitment show up in every interaction, and with our Members and community who continue to support us,” he said. Over the past 12 months, The Mutual Bank has delivered strong performance and community impact, alongside receiving national recognition for its home loan offering and continuing to make investment in local initiatives across sport, education, health and social support services. “Our focus has always been simple - to stand alongside our Members and back the region we’re proud to call home, and this award encourages us to keep doing exactly that,” Mr Williams said. As proud sponsors of the Business Woman of the Year Award, The Mutual Bank also congratulates Sarah-Jane Dunford, Founder of Riskology, on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the outstanding contribution she is making to the Hunter business community.

Joseph Hill Earns Prestigious Career Award

The Mutual Bank is proud to announce that our Data and Analytics Intern Joseph Hill has won the Student Employability Achievement Award at the University of Newcastle’s 2025 Employability Excellence Awards. Joseph joined The Mutual Bank in June 2025 and is working in the Data and Analytics team whilst studying a Bachelor of Mathematics / Bachelor of Data Science and quickly became an integral part of our team. From day one, he impressed us with his fresh ideas, positive attitude, and eagerness to learn. His hard work and commitment have now been recognised on a major stage.  This award celebrates students who demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and dedication to developing employability skills through diverse experiences. Joseph’s journey is a shining example of how curiosity and persistence can lead to incredible career opportunities.  We were proud to celebrate alongside Joseph at the awards night and even more excited when the University of Newcastle’s media team visited our Head Office to film a special video highlighting his achievement. Want to hear Joseph’s story? Watch his video here Why This Matters for Your Career  At The Mutual Bank, we believe in creating career-ready opportunities for students and graduates. Internships like Joseph’s provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world projects that help future professionals thrive.  As the University of Newcastle celebrates 60 years of serving our regions, these awards showcase the partnerships and programs that prepare students for life beyond university – through career-ready placements, innovative teaching, and impactful industry engagement. We’re honoured to play a role in this journey.    Explore Careers at The Mutual Bank  Looking for an opportunity to kickstart your career in banking, data analytics, or customer service? Join a team that values growth, innovation, and community impact.  View Current Opportunities Interested in doing an internship or University placement at The Mutual Bank? > Contact our People and Culture team    Congratulations again, Joseph! You’ve done us proud. 

Our Business Cheque Account is one of the best

We are thrilled to announce that our Business Cheque Account has been recognised by Mozo for its exceptional value and quality.  Mozo has been helping consumers make informed purchase decisions for more than a decade, evaluating thousands of products on the market, to help consumers make more informed financial decisions.  The Mozo Experts Choice Awards showcase the best products and services in the marketplace which offer exceptional value or quality for Australians.  The Mutual Bank’s Business Cheque Account has won a Mozo Award in the Small Business Exceptional Everyday Account category.  Mozo analysed 622 personal, business and Self-Managed Super Funds products from 85 providers across all categories when deciding the winners.  The Mutual Bank’s Chief Member Officer, Matthew Dunnill, said the Mozo win highlighted why The Mutual Bank’s Business Banking is one of the Hunter’s best kept secrets.  “Our Business Banking Managers have the local knowledge, depth of experience and authority to move fast to support your business growth goals,” said Matthew.  “We also offer innovative solutions and competitive products to help small business owners.   “Our Business Cheque Account is a great example of fuss-free support, offering at-call access to your funds with no monthly account-keeping fee.”  The Business Cheque Account win follows The Mutual Bank’s Budget Home Loan winning a Mozo Award three years running.  You can read more information about the Mozo Experts Choice Awards and the full list of winners here.  Keen to know more? Learn more about our award-winning Business Cheque Account and how it can benefit your business here. 

The Mutual Bank scores a hat trick of awards

For the third year running, The Mutual Bank’s Budget Home Loan* has won a Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Award in the coveted Low-Cost Home Loan category. The Mozo Experts Choice Awards have been helping consumers make informed purchase decisions for over a decade, with their extensive award selection process evaluating thousands of products. The Mutual Bank’s CEO, Mark Williams, said the triple win for the Budget Home Loan was fantastic news for the Hunter-based bank. “Our commitment to offering competitive products and making our Members’ mortgage journey more manageable has been recognised for the third year with a win in these awards, and that recognition highlights our dedication to helping people thrive,” he said. “We know people are always looking for better value products and services, particularly given the cost-of-living pressures.  Our Budget Home Loan has been consistently popular with home buyers looking for a no-frills home loan with a low, variable interest rate that is complemented by personalised and attentive service.” AJ Duncanson, Data Director and Mozo Experts Choice Awards Judge said The Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards for 2025 help Aussie consumers cut through the noise and identify great value options. “The Mutual Bank’s Budget Home Loan stood out for its combination of a low interest rate and the fact it has no application fee and no monthly or annual service fee - features that can make a real difference to borrowers looking to keep costs down,” he said. Mozo considered thousands of rate variants across 444 home loans from 97 lenders.  For the Low Cost Home Loan category, the Mozo judges assessed variable rate loans for owner-occupier borrowers making principal and interest repayments, identifying these as the lowest cost for several different loan-to-value ratios. More information about the Mozo Experts Choice Awards and the full list of winners here. *The Mozo Experts Choice Low Cost Home Loan award was awarded to The Mutual Bank’s Budget Home Loan Special Variable Rate for owner-occupied loans with ≤80% LVR and Principal and Interest repayments. Eligibility and lending criteria, terms, conditions, fees, and charges apply and are available on application.