We're a financial co-operative owned by you, the members
How We Started
At 7.30pm on the 17th of July 1967, employees of the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow, gathered in the canteen to discuss the establishment of a financial co-operative owned and operated by its members. At that moment S.A.F.E Credit Union was established.
- In 1975 the credit union then changed its name to Lithgow Mutual Credit Union.
- In 1977 Hartley Local Government Employees Credit Union was absorbed into the credit union and in 1981 Lithgow Mutual Credit Union became a community credit union. Branches were then opened in Mudgee, Blackheath and Bathurst.
- At the 1997 Annual General Meeting members voted to change the name to Family First Credit Bank and to extend Family First’s area of operation to any person who resides in Australia… and here we are today!
The Customer Owned Story
Having almost $128 billion in assets underlines that the customer owned model, with more than 4 million customers, is the proven alternative to the listed model in retail banking. Mutual banks, credit unions and building societies are delivering great service, highly competitive pricing and an unmatched customer focus.
Customers are our owners and number one focus and unlike our listed competitors we don’t have the tension of trying to maximise returns to a separate group of shareholders.
What makes us different.
Customer owned mutuals are different to banks or other financial institutions in that on joining the credit union, you become a member which means you become a part owner and are entitled to a say in the running of your credit union. You have the right to vote at annual general meetings and participate in election of the Board of Directors.
Unlike the banks, the credit union makes decisions to benefit our members, profits are returned to members, as opposed to payment of dividends to shareholders.
Credit unions are an important competitive force in Australia’s retail finance industry.
With institutions spread throughout metropolitan, rural and regional areas, customer owned organisations are now the preferred choice for more then 4 million people
As more and more Australians become disenchanted with the impersonal service and high fees and charges offered by other financial institutions, they are finding that customer owned organisations like Family First offer a style of service that few can match. The reason for this is the unique ownership structure of. Credit unions are mutual organisations, owned by their members for their members.
At a credit union, each member is both a customer and a shareholder in the credit union. Their ownership ensures that credit unions are motivated to put their members’ needs first.
Useful Links and Tools
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About Family First
Family First Bank is different…
Our shareholders are you. We are your local Bank, here to support all of your banking needs. So come and experience local caring banking.
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