Better banking, stronger communities.

Back in 1964, the people of the Northern Rivers were looking for a more flexible, approachable and responsible banking alternative. Out of this desire, Summerland Credit Union was born, and we have been living our mission to provide better banking and stronger communities ever since.

Fast forward to 2023 and not only does the world look very different, but things will start to look a little different around here too. From 1 November, we are excited to show you our updated look and a more user-friendly website and, alongside this, our change in name from Summerland Credit Union to Summerland Bank.

This is not a decision we have made lightly, nor without significant research or consultation. We have lived 60 years as Summerland Credit Union, and you have lived it with us. However, at this critical point in our story, we needed to consider how we could continue to live our mission and increase our impact long into the future, with independent research showing that the majority of Australians (61 per cent) don’t clearly know what a Credit Union is.

As part of expanding our impact and living our mission of better banking and stronger communities, we must find ways of meaningfully engaging, attracting and retaining younger generations who will be able to carry on the benefits of customer-owned banking for people and planet for years to come. And we believe that with a change to our name, we will be able to do just that. 

Although we write to you today to tell you that things might look a little different, this is still the same Summerland you know and love.

Summerland Bank is still owned by its customers and operated by people who live in the local community. This will never change.

We are still proudly located across the Northern Rivers NSW and surrounding regional communities where we too live, eat, work, drive, shop, and send our kids to school. 

We are still offering more of what our customers want than ever before, from good old-fashioned customer service to all the bells and whistles of a modern bank, and eco-friendly loan products that minimise our footprint in this unique part of the world.

We are becoming a bank to redefine what banking means — for customers, for communities, for our team, and for the planet. 

We are becoming a bank to put more power back in your hands; to usher in a new, braver era of banking — one owned by customers, operated by locals, and driven by purpose. And we believe a change in name gives us the best chance to achieve that, and to invite more people to enjoy the benefits of customer-owned banking. 

We are so grateful to you — our committed and loyal customers — for being on this journey with us, and, as always, we will keep you informed and at the centre of all decisions as, together, we chart a path through the next 60 years, and beyond.

Thank you for your time, and if you have any questions or concerns about this change, we would love to hear from you. Please email us on [email protected] or call us on 1300 728 728 and our friendly, local team will be happy to help.

Together in community,

John Williams,

CEO, Summerland Bank