About Our Mutual Bank (2024)

Table of Contents
Our Promise Our Commitment FAQs

Bank First was born when a group of 48 educators came together with a shared belief.

They had grown disenchanted with the way many Australians were being treated by the big banks and wanted a financial institution that placed a value on what people did for the community – not simply by how much money they made.

So in 1972, they started their own financial institution - a mutual bank owned entirely by customers.

Founded on care and compassion, our first loan was to a single mother for a bond to acquire housing for herself and her two children.

After 4 decades of financially empowering educators to realise their dreams, we are still driven by the same founding values and focus on putting our customers first.

Formerly Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank, we changed our name in December 2017, to one that reflects our mutual bank’s focus on putting our customers first.

At Bank First we’re invested in you.

Our Promise

At Bank First, we’re invested in you.

As we are owned entirely by our customers, we exist to financially empower people to realise their dreams – not to make money for shareholders.

Since 1972 we have helped over 200,000 Australians with their banking needs; from managing their money and saving for a rainy day, right through to purchasing their first home and planning for retirement.

Driven by care and compassion, we are committed to providing a better banking experience to all the people and occupations that drive a better community.

From the products and services we offer, through to our dedicated customer service staff, we pride ourselves on putting our customers first.

Our Commitment

As part of our commitment to the customer owned banking sector, we follow theCustomer Owned Banking Code of Practice, which is our promise to you that:

  1. We will deliver banking services in the interests of our customers.

  2. We will obey the law.

  3. We will not mislead or deceive.

  4. We will act honestly and fairly.

  5. We will offer products and services that are fit for general purpose.

  6. We will deliver services with reasonable care and skill.

  7. We will contribute to our community.

About Our Mutual Bank (2024)

FAQs

Who owns mutual banks? ›

A mutual savings bank is owned by its depositors while a public bank is owned by shareholders.

Who is the owner of a mutual bank? ›

A mutual bank is a cooperative financial institution owned by its depositors or customers. They include mutual organization, mutual savings banks and cooperative banking. Unlike traditional banks, which prioritize shareholder profits, mutual banks focus on serving their members' interests.

What is the purpose of a mutual bank? ›

A mutual bank is a financial institution that specializes in offering savings accounts and originating home mortgages, and is owned (but not controlled) by depositors. Mutual banks don't report to shareholders, and they're typically known for prioritizing community giving more than other financial institutions.

Are mutual banks good? ›

There is security in smaller banks. Mutual institutions tend to be more fiscally conservative than large commercial banks, and often choose stable investments to support their depositors. Additionally, because mutual banks don't have shareholders, they are not pressured to grow at the same rate as commercial banks.

What are the risks of mutual banks? ›

“One of the key risks for mutual banks is reliance on externally provided systems, which means some cyber security is in the hands of a third party. There is an additional layer of risk for mutual banks, on a sector basis, as a lot of them share a common core banking system provider.

What is the difference between a mutual bank and a normal bank? ›

A customer owned bank is also known as a credit union, mutual or building society. Unlike other banks that are owned by external investors, customer owned banks are owned by their customers (or members). This is the reason why customer owned banks can put their customers first.

How many mutual banks are there in the US? ›

How many mutual banks are there in the United States? Today, there are 494 mutual banks located in 45 states. The states with the most mutual banks are Massachusetts (92), Illinois (38), Ohio (41) and Pennsylvania (40).

Which online bank is the best? ›

8 Best Online Banks in the UK
  • Monzo. Types of Accounts: Monzo, Monzo Plus, Monzo Premium. ...
  • Monese. Types of Accounts: Simple Account, Classic Account, Premium Account. ...
  • Revolut. Types of Accounts: Standard, Plus, Premium. ...
  • Kroo. Types of Accounts: Kroo Account, Kroo Plus. ...
  • Zopa. ...
  • Anna. ...
  • Virgin Money. ...
  • Starling Bank.

Who is the CEO of Mutual One Bank? ›

President/CEO, MutualOne Bank.

What are the requirements for a mutual bank? ›

Mutual banks must always have accumulated share capital and unimpaired reserve funds as prescribed. It is an offence not to meet this requirement. Moreover, liquid assets to a value not less than its aggregated liabilities must be held at all times.

Why should I put my money in a mutual fund? ›

The primary reasons why an individual may choose to buy mutual funds instead of individual stocks are diversification, convenience, and lower costs.

Which is a drawback of internet only banks? ›

Cons of online banks

You can't deposit cash unless the bank is linked to ATMs that accept cash. The number of products tends to be more limited at online banks. Some only offer a few types of accounts.

Which bank is most trustworthy? ›

Summary: Safest Banks In The U.S. Of April 2024
BankForbes Advisor RatingProducts
Chase Bank5.0Checking, Savings, CDs
Bank of America4.2Checking, Savings, CDs
Wells Fargo Bank4.0Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs
Citi®4.0Checking, savings, CDs
1 more row
Jan 29, 2024

How safe are mutual funds? ›

In the category of market-linked securities, mutual funds are a relatively safe investment. There are risks involved but those can be ascertained by conducting proper due diligence.

Are mutual funds safe from bank collapse? ›

Unfortunately, mutual funds—like investments in the stock market—are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) because they do not qualify as financial deposits. This article will explore the purpose of the FDIC and what financial investments are protected.

Are mutual savings banks owned by stockholders? ›

Although depositors in a mutual savings bank technically own the institution's assets and share in its profits, they are neither stockholders nor members, and have no voting rights or influence over how their money is invested.

Who is Firefighters mutual bank owned by? ›

Firefighters Mutual Bank is one division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, alongside Teachers Mutual Bank, Health Professionals Bank, UniBank, and Hiver Bank.

What is the largest mutual bank in the United States? ›

In 2015, the oldest (and largest) mutual bank in the U.S. was Eastern Bank of Boston, with approximately $10 billion in assets. It was chartered in 1818 in Salem, Massachusetts, as the Salem Savings Bank. In 2020, Eastern Bank demutualized and listed its stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

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