Credit card

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For full details of our fees please review the Fees and charges brochure.

Credit card key fact sheet

There are 2 easy ways to apply for a credit card: online and paper. Before applying ensure you read the information provided in the key facts sheet below.

Changing method of calculating interest on Credit Cards

Due to IT system constraints, the implementation of law reforms relating to charging of interest on credit card accounts has been delayed until 1 June 2019. To ensure that you have not been adversely affected, we may refund some interest charged between 1 January 2019 to 1 June 2019. This refund is to ensure that you are not charged more interest than if the law reforms had been implemented from 1 January 2019.

For more information please see the FAQs below or contact us.

Once we have completed the implementation of the reforms we will advise cardholders.

Why are we changing the method of calculating interest on Credit Cards?

Earlier this year the Federal Parliament introduced four (4) changes to the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 to improve credit card lending and marketing practices for consumers. Reform 3, which is due to commence on 1 January 2019, prevents interest being charged retrospectively to a credit card balance, or part of a balance, that had the benefit of an interest-free period.

Will the Bank be implementing this change by 1 January 2019?

No. We, along with a number of other Mutual Banks, applied to ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commissions) for relief from complying with the new legislation due to IT system constraints. On 15 November 2018 ASIC granted us an extension until 31 May 2019 to comply with this legislation.

Why does the Bank need an extension to comply?

The provider of our core banking system has had to make substantial changes to the platform to ensure compliance with this reform. Whilst we have employed our best endeavours to achieve the set compliance date, the testing of the new solution has entailed a longer time frame than anticipated.

I keep getting a message on my Credit Card statement about this change, why is that?

As part of the conditions of relief granted by ASIC, we are required to provide this information to members each month in their statement of account.

When does the Bank expect to be compliant / have the new interest calculation method implemented?

We have given a commitment to ASIC that we will complete necessary changes and be ready to comply with the new legislation by 31 May 2019. We envisage we will be ready prior to this date and will let account holders know accordingly.

What does this mean for me?

For the majority of account holders it doesn’t mean anything. For a small group of accountholders some interest charges may be refunded while we are in the extension period.

Credit Card account holders who are deemed to be negatively impacted by the Bank using the current interest calculation method instead of the new legislative method will be eligible for full or partial refund of interest.

How do I know if I am entitled to an interest refund?

• I currently pay off my balance in full every month & have no cash advances

You will not be charged interest or be impacted by the change.

• I do not pay off my full balance

You will still be charged interest and will not be eligible for a refund.

• I normally pay off my balance, but in the next month I don’t

From 1 January 2019, until we are compliant, you may be charged more interest than you should have been charged under the new legislation and therefore be entitled to a refund of interest. The refund will only apply for months where you have been charged more interest than you should have been charged.

Do I need to apply for interest charges to be refunded?

No we will automatically process the refund to your Credit Card account in the month following.

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Make the most of your card

Increasing your credit limit

Going overseas? Extra expenses this month? Apply to increase your credit limit and have the peace of mind of knowing you have extra funds available when you need them.

We will require your consent if you would like us to send you a written invitation to increase your credit limit. You can provide your consent by:

• Logging into internet banking and selecting the eCommunication and Consent tab
• Contacting us on 1800 800 225

You can give or withdraw your consent, at any time using these methods.

Choosing how to pay your credit card

• Have your minimum or outstanding balance payment due automatically deducted from your Everyday account or Everyday Direct account each month. Email us to arrange
• BPAY®
• Transfer from your other Firefighters Mutual Bank accounts using internet or phone banking
• Mail us a cheque from another financial institution.

Reviewing your transactions

• Login to internet banking
• Call phone banking anytime 1800 800 225

Transferring balances

You can apply to transfer the outstanding balance of any other credit or store cards you may have to your Credit Card up to your available credit limit. You can reduce the hassle and cost of managing multiple credit cards and benefit from our low interest rate.

Adding an additional cardholder

You can operate multiple credit cards on one account, with just one statement to manage each month. Just complete the Additional cardholder application and if they are not a signatory to another Firefighters Mutual Bank account please also complete the Document Certification Statement.

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Frequently asked questions about our Credit Card

> How can I decrease my limit or close my credit card?

> Who can apply for a Credit Card?

> What will my credit limit be?

> How long does it take to apply and how fast can I get approval?

> Can I have an additional card/s?

> How do I make repayments?

> Can I use BPAY from my credit card account?

> How much do I have to pay monthly?

> When is the introductory interest rate applicable to me?

> When and how will I receive my monthly statement?

> Can I transfer balances from other cards?

> Is there an annual card fee?

> Do I receive up to 55 days interest free on all purchases?

> Can I access 24/7 telephone and internet banking services?

> How do I increase my credit limit?

> Will my card be issued with the payWave functionality?

> Will I receive a PIN with my Credit Card?

> Will I need a PIN number for overseas transactions?

> What if my card is lost or stolen?

> If my card is lost or damaged, will there be a card replacement fee?

> When should I receive the replacement card and PIN number?

> My Credit Card will expire at the end of this month. How do I renew my card?

> Will my card be embedded with a chip to give me greater protection from fraud?

> Can I set up recurring transactions?

> What is Verified by Visa?

> How do I decrease the credit limit or terminate a credit card contract when I am a Power of Attorney?

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How can I decrease my limit or close my credit card?

You can decrease your limit  or close your card at any time, the easiest way to do this is through Internet Banking, then navigate to your Credit Card accounts page.

If you do not have access to Internet Banking, you can complete our online enquiry.

Who can apply for a Credit Card?

You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for a Credit Card. You must also be a Firefighters Mutual Bank member or be eligible to become a member.

What will my credit limit be?

Your credit limit will be determined by your income and financial commitments. Limits range from $1,000 up to $25,000.

How long does it take to apply and how fast can I get approval?

Online applications take approximately 10 – 15 minutes and you should receive conditional approval within 24 hours (weekdays). You will then receive a phone call to confirm your details and written confirmation of your employment and income will be requested at that time (if not previously supplied).

Once all this has been completed a letter of offer will be sent followed by your credit card within 4 – 6 business days. You can also apply for a card at any of our offices or complete a Credit card application and return by mail or fax.

Can I have an additional card/s?

Yes. You can choose to have an additional card/s issued to family or any other persons, providing they are over 18 years of age. The additional card/s operate in the same manner as your primary card and you will be responsible for their usage. Apply for an Additional Credit card application.

How do I make repayments?

You can choose to pay part or all of any outstanding balance by using any of the following options:

• Transfer from your other Firefighters Mutual Bank accounts via phone or internet banking
• Organise an automatic repayment to have the minimum repayment amount due automatically deducted from your Everyday account
• Use BPAY from another financial institution
• Mail a cheque to us

Can I use BPAY from my credit card account?

Yes, BPAY functionality is available from your credit card account.

How much do I have to pay monthly?

You must pay the minimum payment (by the due date), which is found on your monthly statement. This amount is 3% of the closing balance. If you don’t pay the minimum payment by the due date, you may be charged an arrears administration fee and may have your account restricted.

When and how will I receive my monthly statement?

The statement cycle commences on the 23rd of each month and continues until the 22nd of the following month, upon which a statement will be generated. This is forwarded to you 3 – 4 business days after the closing date. 

You can choose to receive your Credit card statement of account in paper form by post, if you make this election a Paper Statement fee specified in the Financial Table in the credit card terms and conditions will be payable. 

Or you can elect to download your statement in internet banking. Your statement will be available in internet banking a number of days before it will arrive by post. We recommend that members elect to receive their statements electronically.

When is the introductory interest rate applicable to me?

The introductory interest rate is applicable to new cardholders for 6 months. At the end of the 6 month period, the interest rate reverts to the standard Credit Card ongoing rate. If in those first 6 months you make a balance transfer from another card to the Credit Card, you will also receive the promotional interest rate on the balance up until the 6 months promotional period ends. Members that have previously held a Credit Card in the past are not eligible for the promotional interest rate.

Can I transfer balances from other cards?

Yes. You can save money by transferring any unpaid balances you have with other credit or store cards to your Credit Card. Complete the Credit card balance transfer application when applying or alternatively organise to transfer your balances over once you receive your credit card.

Is there an annual card fee?

No. You will not be charged an annual card fee.

Do I receive up to 55 days interest free on all purchases?

Yes. Even if you do not repay your outstanding balance entirely in the previous month, you are still eligible for the up to 55 days interest free period on every purchase.

Can I access 24/7 telephone and internet banking services?

Yes. Phone banking is accessible by calling 1800 800 225 and is available 24/7. Internet banking is available via the the login button above.

How do I increase my credit limit?

To apply to increase your credit limit please complete the Increased Credit card limit application.

Will my card be issued with the payWave functionality?

Yes. Visa payWave is a new contactless method of payment. It is a simple, secure and quick payment method for transactions up to $100. The technology enables cardholders to ‘tap’ their card on a contactless POS (point of sale) terminal to make transactions up to $100, rather than ‘swiping or dipping’ their card into POS terminals.

Will I receive a PIN with my Credit Card?

Yes. For a new or additional card, the card will be sent to you in the mail after you receive your PIN.

If you are replacing a damaged card or renewing an existing card, the PIN will remain the same.

Will I need a PIN number for overseas transactions?

Yes. Whether you are using a magnetic stripe or chip card, we strongly recommend that you know your PIN before travelling overseas. If you do not know your PIN, please call us on 1800 800 225.

What if my card is lost or stolen?

If your card is lost, stolen or you believe it may have been compromised, you must advise us immediately.

Call 1800 800 225.

Outside Australia, call +61 2 9735 9225.

If the country you are located in is not listed, or if you experience any difficulties with the above toll–free numbers, you can place a collect call through your local operator from overseas, to the 24–hour Visa Global Customer Assistance Service on +1 303 967 1090.

If my card is lost, stolen or damaged, will there be a card replacement fee?

Yes. A card replacement fee is payable when a card is damaged, captured, lost or the PIN is forgotten.

If you are overseas when your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can contact Visa Global Customer Assistance Services to request an emergency card. The cost of this service is $150.

When should I receive the replacement card and PIN?

A replacement card and a new PIN (if applicable) will be mailed to you separately within 7 business days.

My Credit Card will expire at the end of this month. How do I renew my card?

You can continue to use your existing card until the last day of the month stated, for example, if the expiry date is 11/16 the card will expire on 30 November 2016.

A renewal card will automatically be issued during the expiry month and your PIN will remain the same.

If you do not receive your new card by the 21st of the month in which your card expires, please call us on 1800 800 225.

Will my card be embedded with a chip to give me greater protection from fraud?

Yes. All new, renewal and replacement Visa debit cards are issued with chips in line with the global standards for card security.

Can I set up recurring transactions?

Yes. You can set up recurring transactions to other organisations like insurance or car repayments to be charged to your card.

To set up a recurring transaction with other organisations, you must provide them with your 16–digit card number and expiry date, and advise the card type is Visa. As an additional security measure some organisations may require you to provide a CVV number (this is the three–digit code located on the back of your card to the right of the signature panel).

What is Verified by Visa?

Verified by Visa is a free service to ensure you are protected while shopping online with your card at participating merchants. All cards are automatically protected. 

How do I decrease the credit limit or terminate a credit card contract when I am a Power of Attorney?

If you are an authorised legal representative e.g. a power of attorney or a guardian and wish to decrease the credit limit or terminate a credit card contract, you are able to submit your request via our enquiry form. This function is not available in Internet Banking.