BankSA Society Cheque Account Review & Information

Product details

The BankSA Society Cheque Account is best suited for non-profit organisations such as schools, community and sporting bodies, charities as well as government agencies. Approved office bearers get deposit-only cards. If you qualify you don’t have to pay any monthly account keeping fees. You can make unlimited transactions using online and phone banking for free. Other fee-free transactions depend on the kind of organisation that opens and uses the account.

Product Name: BankSA Society Cheque Account

Monthly Account Fee: $0

Debit Card Access: Visa

ATM Withdrawal Fee: $0

Interest Rate p.a.: 0.20%

Details: No monthly fee, with the exception of Government organisations. Free internet and phone banking.

Fee Free Deposit p.m.: $0

Phone Banking: Yes

Fees: $0

Internet Banking: Yes

What are the features of the BankSA Society Cheque Account?

Account keeping fees. Charities, schools, and community and sporting groups don’t have to pay any ongoing monthly account keeping fees. Government agencies have to pay a monthly account keeping fee of $6. The bank waives this fee if the account’s monthly balance exceeds $10,000.
Access to funds. You can access funds in your account at any time using BankSA’s Internet and phone banking platforms. You can transact by walking into any BankSA branch. If you wish to write cheques you can get an optional chequebook. This account allows automatic payments and deposits as well as express deposits. It also lets you pay bills via BPAY.
Access to account information. The bank sends regular account statements. If you wish to get statements every month you have to pay a monthly fee of $2. You can access account related information using Internet and phone banking for free. These platforms let you view your account’s balance and its transaction history. They also let you initiate fund transfers, amongst other things.
Transaction allowances. Charities and schools get unlimited free transactions. Community and sporting groups as well as government bodies get 20 free monthly deposits and withdrawals per month. They can also make use of 10 free collection items every month. After they exceed these allowances, they have to pay transaction fees.
Optional chequebook. If you get the optional chequebook as a school or a charity you don’t have to pay any fees for writing cheques. Community and sporting bodies as well as government institutions have to pay a fee of $0.45 per cheque after they exceed their fee-free transaction limit.
Branch access. Schools and charities that open this account get access to unlimited staff-assisted banking in branches for free. Community and sporting bodies as well as government institutions have to pay a fee of $0.95 per staff assisted transaction after exceeding their fee-free transaction limit.
Deposit-only card. Approved office bearers get deposit-only cards that they can use to add money to their accounts using BankSA, St.George and Westpac ATMs across Australia.Thesetransactions are free for schools and charities. Others have to pay $0.45 per transaction once they cross the fee-free transaction limit.
Periodical payments. You can use this account to set up periodical payments. A fee of $4 applies per payment. Periodical payments to other BankSA accounts are free.
Interest. The bank calculates interest every day. Schools get a quarterly payout, whereas the bank pays interest to charities, community and sporting groups as well as government agencies annually.

Pros

$0 monthly account keeping fee
Free unlimited everyday net and phone banking
Competitive interest rate

Cons

Benefits are for specialist groups only

How do I apply for the BankSA Society Cheque Account?

You can apply for this account by visiting your nearest BankSA branch, you can get started over the phone and you can apply online. You’ll have to provide different documents depending on the kind of organisation you represent.

Charities. You’ll have to provide the constitution of your charity, notice of endorsement for charity tax concession from the Australian Taxation Office, minutes and certificate of registration or incorporation from a relevant government department or the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
Community and sporting groups. Prepare to provide the constitution of your group, minutes and certificate of registration or incorporation from a relevant government department or ASIC.
Public schools, colleges and universities. You’ll need a letter indicating the desire to open an account from the school principal or dean of studies on your educational organisation’s letterhead.
Other educational institutions. Provide the constitution of your educational institution, minutes as well as certificate of registration or incorporation from a relevant government department or ASIC.
Department Agency or Councils. A letter from the CEO or delegate should suffice.
Registered political parties. From registered political parties the bank needs the minutes along with a letter from the Australian Electoral Commission or the State Electoral Office.