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    <title>Latest News</title>
    <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/</link>
    <description />
    <generator>Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco</generator>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17250</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/keeping-you-and-your-money-safe-stay-vigilant-with-links-in-emails/</link>
      <title>Keeping you and your money safe: Stay vigilant with links in emails</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;An important reminder for members to stay alert, following some reports of spoofed Dropbox DocSend emails impersonating GMCU and other trusted organisations in our community, which are designed to trick people into clicking unsafe links.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Online scammers continue to refine their techniques, often making fraudulent messages look legitimate. Staying vigilant helps protect your personal information and your money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What these fake emails look like&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We have received multiple reports of DocSend‑style emails where:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The sender’s email address is not from &lt;strong&gt;@gmcu.com.au &lt;/strong&gt;(often appearing as an &lt;strong&gt;@outlook.com&lt;/strong&gt; address)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The email urges you to “view” or “review” a document&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The link leads to a website that is not affiliated with DocSend&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These emails can appear convincing, so careful checking is essential.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to spot a fraudulent DocSend or GMCU email&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;br /&gt;✔ &lt;strong&gt;Check the sender’s address&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Scammers may spoof a name, but the domain (the part after @) is usually a giveaway. Genuine GMCU emails only come from &lt;strong&gt;@gmcu.com.au&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;Legitimate DocSend emails typically come from docsend.com or dropboxmail.com and are used for secure document sharing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;✔ &lt;strong&gt;Hover before clicking links&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;Before clicking “View Document,” over links before clicking to ensure they direct to "docsend.com/view/..." rather than a misspelled or different domain, do not click it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;✔ &lt;strong&gt;Watch for other red flags&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Be cautious of emails that include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unexpected or urgent requests&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Poor grammar or unusual formatting&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Suspicious attachments such as &lt;em&gt;.zip&lt;/em&gt; or &lt;em&gt;.exe&lt;/em&gt; files&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Anything that feels out of the ordinary&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What to do if you receive a suspicious email&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you receive an email that seems unusual or claims to be from GMCU or &lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;DocSend&lt;/span&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not click any links or attachments.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Forward the email as an attachment to GMCU for verification.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Delete the email from your inbox and from your deleted items folder.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;If you are unsure, contact us directly. We are here to help.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your security is our priority&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We take the security of your personal and financial information seriously. We will never ask you to open unexpected attachments or provide sensitive information through email links. If you ever have concerns about an email you receive, please &lt;a href="/contact-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;reach out&lt;/a&gt; to us. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:30:26 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-03-24T01:30:26Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17249</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/changes-to-interest-rates-march-2026/</link>
      <title>Changes to Interest Rates - March 2026</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent decision to increase the official cash rate by 0.25%, we have carefully reviewed our interest rates across lending and deposit products.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As a member‑owned organisation, GMCU must balance the needs of all our members - borrowers and depositors - while ensuring we remain financially strong, sustainable and able to continue supporting our community over the long term.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;From Friday 10 April 2026, GMCU will increase interest rates by 0.25% p.a. on Variable rate home loans and overdrafts&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What this means for borrowers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You may need to adjust any automatic transfers you’ve set up to ensure your new minimum repayment amount is met.&lt;br /&gt;Your updated interest rate and minimum repayment will be available in Internet Banking and the GMCU App from Friday 10 April 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;All members impacted by this change will shortly receive written notification with details specific to their loan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Changes to deposit interest rates&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As part of our review, we will also be increasing interest rates on selected deposit products, recognising the loyalty for members who continue to save and invest with GMCU.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Advantage Saver Account: From 1 April 2026, the total rate on our Advantage Saver Account will increase by 0.25% p.a., taking the total rate (base plus bonus) to 4.30% p.a.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Term deposits: From 20 March 2026, interest rates will increase on 12 and 24 month term deposits (balances of $5,000 and over) - with a 24 month term paying 5.00% p.a. (with interest paid upon maturity)^&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;We’re here to help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have any questions about these changes or would like to discuss what they might mean for you, our team is here to help.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Visit your &lt;a href="/contact-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;local branch&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Speak with your local GMCU lender&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Call us on 1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Early withdrawals attract a reduced interest rate. 3-12 month terms: Interest paid at maturity. Interest may be added to principal amount to be reinvested or paid to an account. 24 month term: Interest paid annually. First interest amount paid to an account, second interest payment may be added to principal and reinvested or paid to an account. Minimum deposit $100. Rates for deposits greater than $2million are available on application. Fixed Interest. Calculated on Daily Balance. Refer to Conditions of Use for full details.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:10:19 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-03-19T10:10:19Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17226</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/changes-to-interest-rates-february-2026/</link>
      <title>Changes to Interest Rates - February 2026</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent decision to increase the official cash rate by 0.25%, we have carefully reviewed our interest rates across lending and deposit products.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As a member‑owned organisation, GMCU must balance the needs of all our members - borrowers and depositors - while ensuring we remain financially strong, sustainable and able to continue supporting our community over the long term.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;From Wednesday 5 March 2026, GMCU will increase interest rates by 0.25% p.a. on Variable rate home loans and overdrafts&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What this means for borrowers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You may need to adjust any automatic transfers you’ve set up to ensure your new minimum repayment amount is met.&lt;br /&gt;Your updated interest rate and minimum repayment will be available in Internet Banking and the GMCU App from Wednesday 5 March 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;All members impacted by this change will shortly receive written notification with details specific to their loan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Changes to deposit interest rates&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As part of our review, we will also be increasing interest rates on selected deposit products, recognising the loyalty for members who continue to save and invest with GMCU.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Advantage Saver Account: From 1 March 2026, the total rate on our Advantage Saver Account will increase by 0.05% p.a., taking the total rate (base plus bonus) to 4.05% p.a.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Term deposits: From 11 February 2026, interest rates will increase on 12 and 24 month term deposits (balances of $5,000 and over) - with a 12 month term paying 4.10% p.a. (with interest paid upon maturity)^&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;We’re here to help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have any questions about these changes or would like to discuss what they might mean for you, our team is here to help.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Visit your &lt;a href="/contact-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;local branch&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Speak with your local GMCU lender&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Call us on 1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Early withdrawals attract a reduced interest rate. 3-12 month terms: Interest paid at maturity. Interest may be added to principal amount to be reinvested or paid to an account. 24 month term: Interest paid annually. First interest amount paid to an account, second interest payment may be added to principal and reinvested or paid to an account. Minimum deposit $100. Rates for deposits greater than $2million are available on application. Fixed Interest. Calculated on Daily Balance. Refer to Conditions of Use for full details.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:10:19 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-02-09T10:10:19Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17225</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/bushfire-update-we-re-here-to-help/</link>
      <title>Bushfire update: We’re here to help</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;We’re here to support members and communities impacted by the bushfires. If you need financial assistance, contact us as soon as it’s safe to do so. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact Us:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;📞 &lt;strong style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1rem;"&gt;1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628)&lt;/strong&gt; | 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday. &lt;br /&gt;If you call outside these hours, you can leave a message, and we can call you back when our team are available. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Branch Access:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;All branches open except Violet Town. Check &lt;a href="/contact-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;Branch Locations&lt;/a&gt; for updates. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Digital Banking:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Manage your money safely with Internet Banking, GMCU App, and Digital Cards. &lt;a href="/help/ways-to-bank/mobile-banking-app/" title="Mobile Banking App"&gt;Get Started&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Government Support:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Learn about hardship payments, relief centres and road closures: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="https://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/#january_2026_fires" data-anchor="#january_2026_fires"&gt;https://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/#january_2026_fires&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Our Support Options:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Insurance claims&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Loan repayment relief&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fee waivers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Emergency access to funds&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Community grants - &lt;a href="/forms/online-enquiry/" title="Online enquiry"&gt;Request Support&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional Help:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://ndh.org.au"&gt;https://ndh.org.au&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.disasterassist.gov.au"&gt;https://www.disasterassist.gov.au&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au"&gt;https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:19:12 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-09T06:19:12Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17217</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/app-update-available-now/</link>
      <title>App update – available now</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The GMCU Mobile App has been updated to improve your experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’ve taken on your feedback and worked hard to make the App smarter, faster and more personal. From a refreshed look and smoother navigation to new features that put you in control, making your everyday banking easier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;Simpler navigation&lt;/strong&gt;: Enjoy an improved interface, dashboard, and navigation for a smoother experience.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;Re-designed Dashboard&lt;/strong&gt;: See your account details and balances, track your spending, and view your savings goals, all from your dashboard.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;Personalise your view&lt;/strong&gt;: Customise your dashboard by choosing which accounts and widgets you want to see.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;Make it yours&lt;/strong&gt;: Upload a profile picture to make the App yours.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This update also introduces &lt;strong style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;Confirmation of Payee&lt;/strong&gt;, helping you verify payee details so you can send money to the right person with confidence. Learn more about Confirmation of Payee &lt;a href="/about-us/corporate-information/confirmation-of-payee-cop/" title="Confirmation of Payee (CoP)"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This update is now available for you to download on &lt;a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.gmcu.android&amp;amp;hl=en_AU" data-anchor="?id=au.com.gmcu.android&amp;amp;hl=en_AU"&gt;Google Play&lt;/a&gt; and the &lt;a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/gmcu-mobile-banking/id1453458354"&gt;Apple App Store&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:19:09 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-12-02T22:19:09Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17216</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/keeping-you-and-your-money-safe-shopping-online-this-christmas/</link>
      <title>Keeping you and your money safe: Online Shopping</title>
      <description>&lt;h3&gt;Keeping you and your money safe: shopping online this Christmas &lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ahead of the festive season, many of us find online shopping to be a convenient way to buy gifts, but it’s important to stay alert and vigilant to protect yourself online. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Online scams are now a common threat. Did you know in 2025, Australians lost $259 million due to scams online (Scamwatch).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;GMCU Fraud &amp;amp; Disputes Lead, Duane Cousins shares his top tips to staying safe when shopping online: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep your devices up to date by having the latest updates installed and having strong passwords for all devices and accounts&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use a trusted network such as your home Wi-Fi or 5G rather than public Wi-Fi &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Shop at trusted sellers by doing checks prior to make sure they’re genuine sellers &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Know your rights as a buyer by taking the time to ready the terms and conditions carefully&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use secure payments such as PayPal, PayID PayTo or debit card to make the transaction as secure as possible &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Check your bank statements regularly to make sure you’ve been charged the right amount and if you see something you don’t recognise, it could be a sign that a scam has occurred &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Products that are for sale at an unusually low price compared to usual or other more reputable websites often indicate a scam &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Be wary of social media stores that are new, scammers like to post fake ads and fake reviews &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated every year, but with a few simple precautions, you can shop online with confidence. Staying informed and vigilant is your best defence,” says Duane. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Our members and community should be able to enjoy the festive season without worry. A little extra care when shopping online can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your loved ones.” &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/" target="_blank" title="Scamwatch"&gt;Scamwatch&lt;/a&gt; and call us on 1800 MY GMCU or drop into &lt;a href="/contact-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;your local branch&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Don’t let scammers take your joy this festive season. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Learn more at safety tips at: &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/" target="_blank" title="eSafety.gov.au"&gt;www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au&lt;/a&gt; or at &lt;a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/" title="Scamwatch"&gt;scamwatch.gov.au&lt;/a&gt;  &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:19:34 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-12-02T01:19:34Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17186</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/2025-notice-of-annual-general-meeting/</link>
      <category>Important updates</category>
      <title>2025 Notice of Annual General Meeting</title>
      <description>&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="secondary tertiary"&gt; &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://gmcu.verovoting.com.au/" target="_blank" title="2025 GMCU AGM Portal"&gt;Click here&lt;/a&gt; to login and join the online AGM. For support, please refer to the &lt;a href="/reusable-documents/agm/2025-agm-virtual-meeting-guide/" title="2025 AGM Virtual Meeting Guide"&gt;virtual meeting support guide&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Annual General Meeting of Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-Operative Limited (GMCU) will be held on 26 November 2025 commencing at 1.00 pm.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Members will be able to attend the meeting online, with the ability to vote, comment and ask questions in real time, or in advance of the meeting. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Agenda&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. To receive the Financial Report, Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report for the year ended 30 June 2025.&lt;br /&gt;2. To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following as separate resolutions:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2.1 That Eugenie Stragalinos be appointed as a director.&lt;br /&gt;Note: Director Eugenie Stragalinos retires by rotation this year, is eligible for re-election by invitation of the Board and has signified the intention to stand for election.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2.2 That Adam Woods be appointed as a director.&lt;br /&gt;Note: Director Adam Woods retires by rotation this year, is eligible for re-election without nomination and has signified the intention to stand for election.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3.To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolution:&lt;br /&gt;That, for the purposes of Constitution rule 17.1, the maximum aggregate directors’ remuneration be set at $249,142 PLUS super guarantee per year, commencing from 1 July 2025, and that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Credit Union may pay from the aggregate annual amount, remuneration to a person for services provided as a director at any time on or after 1 July 2025.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;By Order of the Board of Directors &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hayley Collins&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Returning Officer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Proxies&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can vote on these resolutions by proxy. Your proxy does not have to be a member of the Credit Union. An Appointment of Proxy form is available for download here.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For your appointment to be valid, the completed Appointment of Proxy form must reach Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-operative Limited by no later than 1.00 pm on 24 November 2025.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Need help joining the meeting online?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have any technical issues, please try the following:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul class="fa-ul"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Feed not starting:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;If meeting time has passed, refresh your page and try again.&lt;span class="fa-li"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ensure you are using the latest Chrome, Firefox, or Safari Browser. Not recommended using Microsoft Edge.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stuttering Video &amp;amp; Sound:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;refresh page; OR close all applications and re-open in chrome. Still persisting, reboot computer and only open 1 tab with the video stream.&lt;span class="fa-li"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;No Voting Page Available:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;Are you a voting Member? Only voting members have access to the voting.&lt;span class="fa-li"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Run:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.speedtest.net/" target="_new"&gt;www.speedtest.net&lt;/a&gt;; make sure you have over 2Mbps of download available.&lt;span class="fa-li"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Any other queries please contact &lt;span&gt;Vero Voting Support: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:support@verovoting.com.au"&gt;support@verovoting.com.au&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; (or Phone: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="tel:1300702898"&gt;1300 702 898&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Related meeting documents&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/reusable-documents/agm/2025-agm-notice/" title="2025 AGM Notice"&gt;2025 Notice of Annual General Meeting&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="/reusable-documents/annual-reports/gmcu-annual-report-2025/" title="GMCU Annual Report 2025"&gt;2025 Annual Report&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="/reusable-documents/agm/2025-proxy-nomination-form/" title="2025 Proxy Nomination Form"&gt;2025 Proxy Nomination Form&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="/reusable-documents/agm/2025-agm-virtual-meeting-guide/" title="2025 AGM Virtual Meeting Guide"&gt;2025 Virtual Meeting Guide - Vero Voting Quick Reference Guide&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:46:47 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-28T23:46:47Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17166</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/call-for-nominations/</link>
      <title>Call for Nominations</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The Annual General Meeting of Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-Operative Limited (GMCU) will be held virtually, via Vero Voting on Wednesday 26 November 2025, commencing at 1.00 p.m. (AEDT).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Members will be able to attend the meeting online, with the ability to vote, comment and ask questions in real time, or in advance of the meeting. GMCU will provide further information on how to access the Vero Voting Platform at gmcu.com.au/AGM in advance of the meeting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ELECTION OF DIRECTORS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;An election of directors is required in conjunction with the Annual General Meeting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nominations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In accordance with the Credit Union’s Rule A4-2, nominations are now invited from members for the position of director. Nomination forms are available by contacting the Returning Officer at the Credit Union’s Head Office. Nominations must be signed by two (2) members as nominators and must be signed by the nominee consenting to the nomination, together with a declaration as to his or her eligibility to be a director in accordance with the Credit Union’s Rule 13.2. Nominees are required to complete all forms necessary to allow testing under APRA’s Fit &amp;amp; Proper guidelines.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You cannot be a director of GMCU if you have been convicted of a disqualifying offence as set out in s20 of the Banking Act 1959. To check whether a person has been convicted of a disqualifying offence GMCU will conduct a criminal history check on all candidates with the Australian Federal Police, together with a bankruptcy check and register checks with Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Nominations and Consents must be lodged at a branch of the GMCU by 5.00 pm on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Tuesday 21 October 2025.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ballot&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If a ballot is necessary to decide the election, the order in which the candidates appear on the ballot paper is to be determined by the returning officer. The ballot will be held at the Annual General Meeting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Hayley Collins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Returning Officer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:27:36 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-03T07:27:36Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17085</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/keeping-you-and-your-money-safe-one-time-passwords/</link>
      <title>Keeping you and your money safe: One-Time Passwords</title>
      <description>&lt;h3&gt;Keeping you and your money safe with one-time passwords&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;br /&gt;At GMCU, keeping your money safe is our top priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to your security, we’re introducing an important update to internet banking.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Starting 30 September 2025, you’ll be required to enter a one-time password (OTP) when logging into internet banking. This added layer of protection helps ensure that only you can access your account—even if someone else knows your password.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"&gt;This added layer of security allows us to introduce a new feature: &lt;a href="#limits" data-anchor="#limits"&gt;&lt;strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong"&gt;Self-Service Daily Limits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How it works&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The OTP will be sent to your mobile phone number via SMS, and you will need to enter it each time you log into Internet Banking.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What you need to do&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have already set up OTP, there is nothing further you need to do. If you have not yet set this up and you have your mobile phone registered with us, you can:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Log into Internet Banking&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Click on Settings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;From the dropdown, select Setup Security Options and follow the prompts to set up OTP&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you do not set it up beforehand, we'll do it on your behalf on 30 September.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don’t have a mobile number registered?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our team is reaching out to members who don’t have a mobile number on file. If you haven’t heard from us or don’t have a mobile phone, please contact your local branch or call us on 1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628). We’ll be happy to help you get set up.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Strong passwords matter&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your banking, social media, and email accounts contain sensitive information that forms your digital identity. Here are some tips to help keep your information safe online:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Never share your password or store it on your device or browser&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use a reputable password manager&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Always access internet banking via the official &lt;span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text"&gt;GMCU&lt;/span&gt; website&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking or shopping&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Look for the secure padlock icon in your browser&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use strong, unique passwords that aren’t easy to guess&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Avoid using personal details like your address or birthday in passwords&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;We’re here to help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="4570"&gt;Online banking, shopping, and communication have become second nature—but that familiarity can sometimes lead to oversights. If you have any concerns about your account, card, or online banking security, please reach out to us. You can also visit our &lt;a href="/help/fraud-security/view-all-fraud-security/" title="View all fraud &amp;amp; security"&gt;Security&lt;/a&gt; page for more information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="4801"&gt;📞 Call us on 1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628)&lt;br /&gt;🏢 Visit your local branch&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h3&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Frequently Asked Questions&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What is changing with GMCU Internet Banking security?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Starting 30 September 2025, you’ll need to enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent via SMS to your mobile phone each time you log into Internet Banking. This added layer of security helps protect your account from unauthorised access.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How do I set up OTP for Internet Banking?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;If you haven’t set up OTP yet, follow these steps:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Log into Internet Banking&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Click on Settings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Select Setup Security Options from the dropdown&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Follow the prompts to register your mobile number&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you need assistance, please contact your local GMCU branch.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a id="limits"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;What are Self-Service Daily Limits?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;From 30 September 2025, you can manage your own daily transfer limits directly within Internet Banking:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Up to $5,000 for Standard and BPAY payments&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Up to $5,000 for OSKO payments&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You’re in control:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Need less? Set your limit to exactly what you need - for example, $2,000 - and reduce it again after your transfer.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Need more than $5,000? Visit a branch or call us for assistance.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Want to reduce risk? You can even set your limit to $0.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Already have a permanent limit? It will remain unchanged unless you contact us.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Using the Mobile Banking App? Limit changes aren’t available just yet - but they’re coming&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can login to Internet Banking at any time to change your limits. Simply select ‘Settings’ and then Daily Transaction Limits.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What if I haven’t registered a mobile number with GMCU?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our team is contacting members who don’t have a mobile number registered. If you haven’t heard from us, please reach out to your local branch so we can help you set up OTP.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How can I keep my online banking and personal information safe?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are some important tips:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Never share or store your password on your device or browser&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use a trusted password manager&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Only access Internet Banking via the official GMCU website&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking or shopping&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Look for the secure padlock icon in your browser&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use strong, unique passwords that aren’t easy to guess&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What should I do if I’m concerned about my account security?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you suspect any issues with your account, card, or online banking credentials, contact GMCU immediately. We’re here to help. You can also visit our website for more tips on staying safe online.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How do One-Time Passwords (OTPs) help protect my account?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;OTPs provide an extra layer of protection through two-factor authentication (2FA). Even if someone knows your password, they can’t access your account without the unique code sent to your mobile number. Because OTPs are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="font-size: 1.125rem;"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Time-sensitive (expire quickly)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Single-use&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sent only to your registered mobile number&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;…they make it much harder for fraudsters to gain access to your account, helping to keep your money and personal information safe.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:02:09 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-02T05:02:09Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17069</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/we-re-phasing-out-cheques-at-gmcu/</link>
      <title>We’re phasing out cheques at GMCU</title>
      <description>&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="38"&gt;As fast, secure and more modern payment options are available in Australia, the more Australians are choosing alternative payment options to cheques.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="189"&gt;Because of this, and significant improvements in digital payments in recent times, we have made the decision to stop our cheque deposit services, from 21 June 2025.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="386"&gt;&lt;strong data-renderer-mark="true"&gt;Why remove cheques?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="407"&gt;You may be aware that the &lt;a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/modernising-payments-infrastructure-phasing-out-cheques" title="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/modernising-payments-infrastructure-phasing-out-cheques" class="cc-1sdo59k" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true"&gt;Australian Government &lt;/a&gt;has committed to phase all cheque usage out by 2030.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="510"&gt;Our members are increasingly choosing digital options to send and receive money. And many banks have elected to phase out these services now as they can be costly, slow and sometimes risky to manage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="711"&gt;&lt;strong data-renderer-mark="true"&gt;What you need to know&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="703"&gt;The last day to we can accept a cheque deposit will be 20 June 2025. After that, you will need to go back to the cheque drawer and ask them for alternative payment methods.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="877"&gt;Our team are available to chat with you over the phone, or by appointment at a branch to talk through the alternative payment options that will suit your situation best.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="1048"&gt;Drop into the branch or call us on 1800 MY &lt;span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text"&gt;GMCU&lt;/span&gt; (1800 694 628) for more information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-renderer-start-pos="1079"&gt;&lt;a href="/help/support/frequently-asked-questions/cheque-faqs/" title="Cheque FAQs"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequently Asked Questions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:46:47 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-01T11:46:47Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17060</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/gmcu-cuts-interest-rates-august-2025/</link>
      <title>GMCU announces interest rate cut - August 2025</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;Following the RBA's decision to decrease the official cash rate by 0.25%, GMCU will pass on the rate cut in full and decrease home loan variable interest rates by 0.25% p.a., effective 21 August 2025. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;Members will be able to see updated repayment amounts in online banking and in the App from 21 August, or on their next statement.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;Because we’re member-owned, we always balance the needs of all of our members - including our members with deposits too. &lt;!--ScriptorStartFragment--&gt;Effective 1 September, our Advantage Saver interest rate will decrease by 0.25% - but remains well above the official cash rate, attracting up to 4.00% p.a.#. &lt;!--ScriptorEndFragment--&gt;All other at-call deposit interest rates will remain at this time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;Our local team are on hand to discuss your options if you need support in navigating the rate changes. Call us on 1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628) or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gmcu.com.au/forms/online-enquiry/"&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;send us an enquiry here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2025 11:50:38 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-08-10T11:50:38Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17048</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/gmcu-welcomes-new-ceo-to-the-goulburn-murray-region/</link>
      <title>GMCU welcomes new CEO to the Goulburn Murray region</title>
      <description>&lt;h5&gt;Media Release&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;GMCU welcomes new CEO to the Goulburn Murray region&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thursday 28 November 2024 – Shepparton&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-Operative Ltd (GMCU) has announced the appointment of Richard O'Nians as Chief Executive Officer at its Annual General Meeting held last night.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chair of GMCU, Eugenie Stragalinos, welcomed Mr O’Nians in her Chair’s address, noting his deep connections to regional Victoria and extensive experience in financial services.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Richard brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services sector, including leadership roles in business banking, retail banking, risk management, and financial reporting,” Ms Stragalinos said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“He has built and led high-performing teams, fostered strong customer and community relationships, and driven strong business results across his career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“As we move into 2025, we will face into some challenging economic conditions. The board is reassured to have a leader of Richard’s calibre navigate GMCU through those times,” she said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Mr O’Nians has longstanding connections to regional Victoria and is looking forward to broadening his ties to the community.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“I’m passionate about seeing regional and rural communities thrive, and I’m looking forward to being part of an organisation that can directly contribute to positive outcomes for the communities they operate in,” Mr O’Nians said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“I look forward to spending some time across our branch network and in the community to get an understanding of the unique issues impacting them,” he said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Mr O’Nians commences his role on Monday 2 December 2024.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ends.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About GMCU:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-Operative Limited (GMCU) has been providing local banking solutions since 1955 across 10 locations in the Goulburn Murray region. As a member-owned organisation, 100% of profits are reinvested into the products and services for our members, as well as community initiatives to help local people grow, thrive and succeed. &lt;a href="/about-us/our-history/" title="Our History"&gt;Find out more&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Highlights of GMCU’s Financial Performance for the Financial Year ending 30 June 2024:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Net Profit After Tax of $2.2 million&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Total assets increased by $25 million to $558 million&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Lending growth 10% year on year&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:34:02 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-11-27T21:34:02Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16979</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/welcome-to-our-new-website/</link>
      <title>Welcome to our new website</title>
      <description>&lt;h1 class="intro-para" style="text-align: left;"&gt;Welcome to our refreshed GMCU website.&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;Our new and improved website experience is easy to navigate, making it simple to understand and manage your banking, loans and insurance with us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{&amp;quot;134233117&amp;quot;:false,&amp;quot;134233118&amp;quot;:false,&amp;quot;201341983&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335551550&amp;quot;:1,&amp;quot;335551620&amp;quot;:1,&amp;quot;335559685&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559737&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559738&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559739&amp;quot;:160,&amp;quot;335559740&amp;quot;:279}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;Our web address (URL) remains the same – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.gmcu.com.au/"&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="none"&gt;www.gmcu.com.au&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt; - and internet banking is still accessible via the Login button in the top right corner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{&amp;quot;134233117&amp;quot;:false,&amp;quot;134233118&amp;quot;:false,&amp;quot;201341983&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335551550&amp;quot;:1,&amp;quot;335551620&amp;quot;:1,&amp;quot;335559685&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559737&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559738&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559739&amp;quot;:160,&amp;quot;335559740&amp;quot;:279}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;We’ve been laying the foundations for a seamless digital banking experience. &lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;We’ve been focused on rolling out a range of improvements when it comes to all things digital at GMCU – including our recent upgrades to both Internet Banking and our Mobile App. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{&amp;quot;201341983&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559739&amp;quot;:160,&amp;quot;335559740&amp;quot;:279}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;Keep a look out for clever new tools, features and services across our website, app and internet banking soon. We love your feedback – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/forms/online-enquiry/" title="Online enquiry"&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt;contact us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span data-contrast="auto"&gt; to send it through. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ccp-props="{&amp;quot;201341983&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559739&amp;quot;:160,&amp;quot;335559740&amp;quot;:279}"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:07:06 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-08-28T15:07:06Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">17000</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/our-internet-banking-has-a-new-look/</link>
      <title>Our Internet Banking has a new look</title>
      <description>&lt;h1&gt;Our Internet Banking has a new look!&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The GMCU Internet Banking platform has been upgraded - giving our members a modern, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate online banking experience. The upgrade continues to provide us with safe and secure digital banking in  the back end, while also  allowing us to roll out new features and services to you quickly and easily in the future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://gmcu.com.au/images/Internet%20Banking%20Upgrade%20Jul%2024%20Screen%20Grab.png" alt="Screenshot of GMCU Internet Banking Login Page" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h6&gt;What’s changing?&lt;/h6&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Nothing for now. Just a great new facelift to the GMCU Internet Banking platform that you’re familiar with. Keep a look out for new features and services soon.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h6&gt;What do I need to do?&lt;/h6&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Nothing! Simply login to Internet Banking via gmcu.com.au as you normally would, using your member number and password. And remember, to keep safe when banking online – only login via our website (gmcu.com.au)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h6&gt;Creating a great digital banking experience for our members&lt;/h6&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’ve been focused on rolling out a range of improvements when it comes to all things digital at GMCU, including a new and improved website and the recent upgrades to our mobile app. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h6&gt;Where can I go for help?&lt;/h6&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This version of Internet Banking is extremely intuitive. Within a few clicks, you should be able to find what you need. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us on 1800 MY GMCU (1800 694 628), send us an email (&lt;a href="mailto:info@gmcu.com.au"&gt;info@gmcu.com.au&lt;/a&gt;) or &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;drop in to&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;any of our branches&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:08:20 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-08-01T15:08:20Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16749</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/five-tips-for-a-stress-free-home-purchase/</link>
      <category>Home Buying</category>
      <title>Five tips for a stress-free home purchase</title>
      <description>&lt;h2&gt;Buying a new home is exciting&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;But to make sure you are making the best decision, you need to be sensible and do your homework ahead of putting in your offer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With this in mind, below are five tips to help you secure your dream home, or investment property with confidence:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;1. Ensure you know what you are getting yourself into.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Take your time with this process; once you have settled on a property, there’s no turning back. It’s essential for you to know what you are buying and to be aware of any issues that may arise.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building reports: a written account of the property's conditions. Building reports can be helpful to negotiate a lower price if there is damage that will need to be fixed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Pest inspections: Thorough visual inspection of the roof void, subfloor, and external buildings and gardens for any pests. Pest inspections are important as they can prevent many expensive damages that may occur after purchase.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Strata report: If you are looking to buy an apartment, unit, or townhouse, the strata report covers all the aspects involved in running and maintaining a block of properties and all the common areas that go with them.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;2. Scout the neighbourhood.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This can be easily done by taking a walk around the area, checking out the local coffee shop, and getting a sense of the community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;3. Make sure you understand what the future holds in the local area.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Check with local councils for any new infrastructure impacting your property. Your local council will be able to tell you about the zoning for your property and if there are any new developments planned.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;4. Do all costs fit into your budget?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Buying a property involves a lot more than just the purchase price. You need to consider the following figures in your budget.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stamp duty&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Conveyancing fees&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mortgage Insurance&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Building insurance&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Moving costs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Strata fees&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Ongoing mortgage repayments&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;5. Find the best home loan value.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can choose with a Fixed or Variable interest rate home loan that will allow you to be comfortable in your property purchase.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fixed Rate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A fixed interest rate loan is a loan where the interest rate on the loan remains the same for the life of the loan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Variable Rate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A variable interest rate loan is a loan where the interest charged on the outstanding balance fluctuates based on an underlying benchmark or index that periodically changes. Whether you choose to fix your home loan, or prefer a variable option it is really down to personal preference and your financial circumstances.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local Lending Specialists can talk you through the right information, to find the right product for you. &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;Talk to us today&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-16T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16750</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/your-guide-to-saving-for-a-house-deposit/</link>
      <category>Home Buying</category>
      <title>Your Guide to Saving for a House Deposit</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Buying a house is exciting and life changing. It all starts with saving for the deposit.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Set a clear goal.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ensure you’re clear on the type of property you’d like to be buy, with a clear idea of what you want.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider some of the following:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Ideal locations and distance to work.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The type of home (e.g. stand-alone, townhouse or apartment).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The number of bedrooms.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Whether you want to buy or build.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Be sure to understand what are non-negotiables and those areas you’re willing to compromise.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Find your budget.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It is a good idea to look at properties in the potential area you want to buy a house in. Once you have found a few properties that you are interested in and have a price-guide in mind, you will need to understand whether you can realistically afford the property.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Deposit: A 20% deposit is ideal when purchasing a property. However, you may be able to buy with less.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Borrowing: This is the time to talk to the GMCU team to assess your borrowing capacity, understanding how much you can borrow.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Repayments: Consider the GMCU Home Loan Repayment Calculator to find out what your repayments could be.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Save the deposit&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Now that you have a good idea of how much you need for a deposit, you can put a savings plan in place. If you are buying a house with someone else, make a savings plan together. Automating your Savings, with set-up transfers allow you to 'set and forget'. You can grow your savings without having to worry about transferring money each pay.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local Lending Specialists can help you understand how much you’ll need for a deposit, and assist with achieving your savings goals. &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;Talk to us today&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-15T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16751</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/how-to-send-money-overseas-with-gmcu/</link>
      <category>Lifestyle</category>
      <title>How to Send Money Overseas with GMCU</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Did you know you can send money from your bank account to an overseas bank account with GMCU’s International Payments Service?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can send money to over 200 countries and territories in over 130 currencies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Benefits:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Funds are generally credited within 2-3 business days&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;No surprise overseas bank fees**&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Cost-effective; you can potentially save money by sending in the beneficiary’s local currency**&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What you need to send money overseas?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You will need to provide your beneficiary's full name and details of the beneficiary’s bank account, including their ^IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if they are in Europe.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. If you need assistance sending money overseas, &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;we’re a phone call away&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;**You must provide the beneficiary’s full street address to comply with Australian Government regulations. Include the beneficiary bank’s code (sort code, SWIFT address, or routing number).&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-14T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16752</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/financial-planning-through-the-decades-securing-your-future/</link>
      <category>Lifestyle</category>
      <title>Financial Planning Through the Decades: Securing Your Future</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The best way to secure your assets is to start early. It can be hard to think too far ahead, however your future-self will thank you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;In your 20’s:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Learn how to budget so you can stay in control of your money.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Start saving for assets, whether a house, car or travel.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;In your 30’s:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Consider having life and contents insurance.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Set up an emergency fund.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Consider investing in shares or property.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prepare a will.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;In your 40’s:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Consolidate the good habits you have formed, and keep saving.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Consider reviewing your superannuation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Start planning what you may need for your retirement.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;In your 50’s:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Consider making those extra mortgage payments to bring it closer and reduce the interest you’re paying each month.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;In your 60’s:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Transition to retirement.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Eligible to receive the Age Pension.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Take advantage of concessions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plan to make sure your assets are secured in the future.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;View all our &lt;a href="/banking/transaction-accounts/view-all-transaction-accounts/" title="View all Transaction Accounts"&gt;transaction&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="/banking/savings-accounts/view-all-savings-accounts/" title="View all Savings Accounts"&gt;savings accounts&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. If you need assistance, &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;we’re a phone call away&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-13T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16753</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/essential-tips-for-safeguarding-your-money-while-traveling/</link>
      <category>Keeping safe</category>
      <title>Essential Tips for Safeguarding Your Money While Traveling</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Knowing how to store your money and personal belongings safely and securely could help you avoid the common travel risks of petty theft, robbery, or ATM tampering.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;Prep before you leave:&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Opening a &lt;a href="/banking/savings-accounts/view-all-savings-accounts/" title="View all Savings Accounts"&gt;Savings Account&lt;/a&gt; with incentives to exchange points for accommodation or flights on your next trip.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Having a credit or debit card handy may help add convenience to your trip, as it could eliminate the need for carrying large amounts of hard cash.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Before departing, it is a good idea to notify your bank of your plans to travel abroad. Inform them of the dates you’ll be overseas and the specific dates you’ll be in each country if you plan to travel to multiple locations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In the case of emergencies, travel insurance while overseas could be worth the investment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;Protect your valuables:&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep your money in multiple places.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not leave your valuables unattended, and consider keeping your wallet or physical cash in your front pockets wherever possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Only use reputable ATMs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. If you need assistance ahead of planning an overseas trip, &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;we’re a phone call away&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-12T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16754</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/how-to-protect-yourself-from-online-scams/</link>
      <category>Keeping safe</category>
      <title>How to Protect Yourself from Online Scams</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), over half (55%) of all Australians aged 15 and over were exposed to a scam during 2020-21.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;At GMCU, we’re committed to keeping you and your money safe online. Which of the below are you doing to keep yourself safe?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;1. Download the GMCU App&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Download the GMCU App and register using your Internet Banking login details.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;2. Set up secure logins&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Set up your 4-9 digit PIN, pattern login, Touch ID (for Touch ID compatible iOS devices), or Face ID (for Face ID compatible devices).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;3. Set up alerts&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Always use secure mail when using the GMCU App.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Your mobile device is a way of accessing GMCU Internet Banking, so don’t keep your login information with your mobile device.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Contact GMCU immediately if you’ve lost your mobile device or feel someone may know your login details. Ensure you log out of the app when you are finished. You can do this by tapping the padlock icon in the top right-hand corner.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;4. Use new and private logins only&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Always ensure your GMCU App is up to date, consider setting up automatic updates on your phone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;5. Make sure your devices are secure&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Make sure you have passwords or biometric logins (like fingerprint, or Face ID) to your devices. And don't share passwords to your devices if you can avoid it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;6. Never send your credit card details online&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Never send your credit card details online, to anyone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;7. If you suspect something is fraudulent - act fast&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We use an Australian-based service to monitor unusual account activity 24/7. This monitoring helps us to detect and stop fraud quickly. If you receive a message asking you to return a call to us on &lt;a href="tel:1300705750"&gt;1300 705 750&lt;/a&gt;, please do so.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you receive an SMS text asking to confirm a transaction, please respond to it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;8. Understand more about scams and fraud&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/" target="_blank"&gt;Learn more about scams and fraud, and how to spot them (via Scamwatch from the Australian Government)&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. If you have any questions relating to scams or fraud, or perhaps you have concerns, please &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;call us&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;visit your local branch&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-11T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16756</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/top-10-tips-to-save-money-and-make-your-finances-work-harder/</link>
      <category>Saving</category>
      <title>Top 10 Tips to Save Money and Make Your Finances Work Harder</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;You can make a big difference with small changes. The team at GMCU have landed on their top 10 tips to make your money work harder, with simpler ways to save money:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;1. Try Online Grocery Shopping&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Supermarkets are designed to encourage spending. Buying only what you need is easier when you’re not walking down the aisles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;2. Limit Online Impulse Buys&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider setting a maximum online spend per pay week to ensure you don’t blow your budget.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;3. Look for Coupons or Vouchers&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Next time you buy something online, take a minute to check the retailer’s website to see if they offer discounts for your first purchase or sign up for a newsletter.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;4. Choose Efficient Heating&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider looking for a heater that has a five or six-star energy rating.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;5. Try the Timer&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Setting the timer to turn on when you wake up in the morning and off during the warmest time of the day will help you use less power.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;6. Keep Your Home Between 17 and 20°&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The higher your air conditioner’s thermostat is set, the more energy it will consume and the more it will cost. During winter, setting your thermostat between 17°C and 20°C is usually the most efficient and could save you money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;7. Close and Open Your Curtains at the Correct Times&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Closing your curtains when the sun goes down and opening them to let the light in is a great way to keep the warmth in without wasting money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;8. Shop Around for Better Utility Providers&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Many providers may offer new customers different sign-up incentives or lower rates, so comparing your internet and energy bills could save you hundreds of dollars.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;9. Pay Yourself First&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider automating your savings by setting an automatic transfer every payday into a savings account.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;10. Put Your Money to Work for You&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;That extra interest incentive can be a great reason to avoid dipping into your savings so you can continue to watch it grow through the winter and beyond!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. With &lt;a href="/banking/savings-accounts/view-all-savings-accounts/" title="View all Savings Accounts"&gt;Savings Accounts&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="/banking/term-deposits/view-all-term-deposits/" title="View all Term Deposits"&gt;Term Deposit&lt;/a&gt; options that will allow you to put your money to work. &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;Talk to us today&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-10T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16757</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/top-5-tips-to-boost-your-savings-and-achieve-financial-goals/</link>
      <category>Saving</category>
      <title>Top 5 Tips to Boost Your Savings and Achieve Financial Goals</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Despite the importance of savings, many Australians find it difficult to set money aside on a regular basis. Whether your financial goals are big or small, these Top 5 tips will see your savings balance increase so you can achieve your financial goals faster.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;1. Set Yourself a Budget&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider the weekly activities you need money for, whether playing a sport or going to the gym, fuel, groceries, and other expenses. Make sure you set a budget that will allow for money output for these activities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;2. Track Your Expenses&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Checking your spending regularly ensures you’re on the right track towards your savings goals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;3. Consolidate Your Debt&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Debt consolidation can give you greater control over your financial situation, helping you confidently reach your savings goals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;4. Choose a Competitive Savings Account&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A good Savings account can help you earn a high level of interest on your savings, helping you meet your financial needs in a shorter time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;5. Automate Your Finances&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Automatic bank transfers help minimize the risk of forgotten payments and ensure all important expenses are covered before any extra personal spending.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. With &lt;a href="/banking/savings-accounts/view-all-savings-accounts/" title="View all Savings Accounts"&gt;Savings Accounts&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="/banking/term-deposits/view-all-term-deposits/" title="View all Term Deposits"&gt;Term Deposit&lt;/a&gt; options that will allow you to put your money to work. &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;Talk to us today&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-09T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16758</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/how-to-recognise-and-avoid-cyber-threats/</link>
      <category>Keeping safe</category>
      <title>How to Recognise and Avoid Cyber Threats</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;As more cyber attacks and data breaches make the news, you may wonder how this could affect you. Personal information falling into the hands of scammers can make you a target of increasingly sophisticated and convincing scams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If scammers are armed with personal information, it makes it easier for them to find and target you with personalised scam attempts. You may be experiencing an increased number of scam calls or messages, some of which may include your personal information to sound more legitimate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;Examples of Scams:&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A text from scammers claiming to be a streaming service or subscription asking you to click a link to update your card details.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A message claiming you have unpaid tolls or fines, urging you to click a link to make payment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;"Hi, Mum" messages from scammers impersonating family members. These start as a casual conversation, telling you they have broken or lost their phone and asking you to remove their old number from your phone. They will generally converse casually before asking for money to help pay a bill or other urgent expense.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It can be tempting to follow your first instinct, click a link to check an overdue fine, or send money to help a family member in need, but it's important to take a moment to think about the situation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Instead of clicking a potentially harmful link to update your card details, you could log into your streaming service through the official website and review your details there. You could also simply call your family member on their usual phone number to verify whether they have lost their phone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Protect yourself and stay informed. If you have any concerns that you may have received a suspicious call or text, clicked on a suspicious link, or provided your personal information to a scammer, please contact your local branch as soon as possible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As another layer of protection, GMCU has an internal fraud department and an external card and NPP monitoring team that will assist with monitoring any suspicious transactions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our local team are here to help. If you have any questions relating to scams or fraud, or perhaps you have concerns, please &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;call us&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/find-a-branch/" title="Find a Branch"&gt;visit your local branch&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-09T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">16759</guid>
      <link>https://gmcuwebappfrontprod.azurewebsites.net/blog/articles/understanding-australias-strong-banking-system/</link>
      <category>Important updates</category>
      <title>Understanding Australia's Strong Banking System</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Australia has one of the strongest banking systems in the world. You can have confidence that all Australian banking institutions, credit unions, banks, and building societies must meet the strictest regulatory standards and protections designed to protect you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Credit unions, building societies, and mutual banks meet the same standards as banks under the Banking Act with rigorous oversight by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). APRA’s rules on safety and capital apply to all banks, building societies, and credit unions to the same high standards.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;APRA also administers the Financial Claims Scheme, an additional protection for deposits. The Financial Claims Scheme ensures that depositors with credit unions, banks, and building societies will be guaranteed repayment of their funds if any banking institution fails.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="tertiary"&gt;Our team are here to help. If there’s anything we can assist with, from everyday banking to understanding financial protections, please &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact Us"&gt;reach out to us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 23:56:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2024-05-08T23:56:33Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
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