Community First Bonus Saver Review, Rates & Information

Product details

Not everyone has the discipline to put money aside for that rainy day but with Community First Credit Union you are given an incentive to try harder. With just a small monthly deposit and no spending out of your savings, you are rewarded with a bonus interest rate. The higher competitive rate can quickly turn those few dollars deposited each month into enough to buy whatever it is that will make the sun shine on your rainy day.

Product Name: Community First Bonus Saver

Maximum Variable Rate: 2.40% p.a.

Standard Variable Rate: 0.10% p.a.

Bonus Variable Rate: 2.30% p.a.

Introductory / Bonus Offer Conditions: To receive bonus interest of 2.30% p.a., account holders have to make minimum of $20 deposit and make no withdrawals each calendar month.

Monthly Fee: $0

Minimum Opening Deposit: $0

Minimum monthly deposit for bonus interest rate: $20

Internet Banking: Yes

Internet Transaction Fee: $0

Phone Banking: Yes

Phone Transaction Fee: $1

Joint application?: No

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Covered by Government Guarantee?: Yes (Up to $250,000 per person, per institution)

What are the features of the Community First Bonus Saver account?

The terms and requirements of bonus savings accounts vary greatly when looked at among various Australian financial institutions. Before choosing one to tuck your extra cash into, make sure that you are comparing the features of the account offered by Community First Credit Union:

Joining the credit union. In order to take advantage of any of the products offered by Community First you will first be asked to become a member of this credit union. This can be done online and entails paying $2 for your share.
Monthly account keeping fees. No charges will be made to your savings account for monthly services or maintenance.
Base interest rate. The base rate for this account is a standard variable rate.
Bonus interest rate. The bonus rate is also variable, and when added to the base rate makes this a more competitive savings product.
Interest payments. Your interest is calculated on the daily balance and paid into the account monthly.
Qualifying for bonus interest. You will receive bonus interest every month that you deposit at least $20 into the account without making any withdrawals. Interest earnings will not count towards helping you meet these requirements.
Minimum balance. You will not be obligated to maintain a monthly minimum balance.
Deposit methods. You can set up direct deposits of your paycheck or other income to be credited to the account on a regular basis using online, mobile or phone banking, or you can make over the counter deposits at a Community First branch.
Transaction fees. You will be charged for the following transactions; transfers to accounts that are not with Community First and over the counter cheques, cash withdrawal and transfers.
Transaction fee allowances. You are given an allowance that can be put towards the cost of transaction fees based on the combined total of your accounts with Community First. For balances that are less than $5,000, no allowances are given.
Complete packaging. Community First offers an account package which combines this one with an everyday account and bill paying account to help you keep better track of your money.
Member allowance. Balances of over $5,000 will count towards your member allowance which can help to ease the cost of transaction fees with other accounts.

Pros

Incentive to save money
No monthly account keeping fee
No minimum balance required

Cons

Need to meet conditions every month to get bonus interest

How do I apply for the Community First Bonus Saver?

Existing Community First members will find it easy to apply through their online banking platform. If you are not already a member, you can fill out the membership application online. Before beginning, check to see that you are eligible both for becoming a member and opening the Bonus Saver Account:

Minimum age. While this account is available to all members regardless of age, if you are under 18 you will need to visit a branch in order to become a member of the credit union.
Residency requirements. Membership is open to Australian residents with a residential address either in Sydney or the Central Coast Region of Australia.
Depository requirements. There is no opening deposit requirement for the savings account, but you will be asked to pay $2 for your share of the credit union.

Once you have confirmed that you are eligible for becoming a member and opening the Bonus Saver Account continue to apply online using the following documentation:

Tax file number. To ensure that the withholding tax on your earned interest is not higher than you are obligated to pay, provide the credit union with your tax file number (TFN) or exemption code.
Identification. Confirming your identity can be done using details from your passport, driver’s licence or Medicare Card.

After submitting your application and its acceptance, you will receive your Community First membership number along with the details of your new savings account. Remember to start making those deposits in order to make the most of the account with bonus interest.