Welcome to the January issue of Communiqué
Happy New Year to all our members and your families! I hope that you enjoyed a safe holiday season with loved ones and for those currently serving away from family and friends we thank you for your service.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Defence personnel who risked their health and safety last year for operation Bushfire Assist and continue to do so for operation COVID-19, your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Congratulations to the Royal Australian Air Force, who will be reaching their centenary this year on the 31st of March. Members, please visit airforce.gov.au/100 to see how you can join in commemorating this historic moment.
Australian Military Bank is committed to enhancing our service offering for our members. At the end of last year we launched mobile wallets, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Mobile wallets are an easy way to pay in store with your phone and wearables. You can quickly checkout using the devices you carry every day. In the first month of Apple Pay, we are proud to report that our members used the feature over 13,000 times.
In other news, the Australian Government has recently announced 10,000 additional First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) places for new homes, known as the FHLDS (New Homes). The Scheme is designed for those that are looking to build or purchase a newly built home who don’t have a 20% deposit to contribute. For more information please visit nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/fhlds/new-homes.
In this issue, we would like to highlight the success of Mates4Mates’ National Appeal Day which helps veterans and their families to find a way forward from service-related injury. Mates4Mates is part of Australian Military Bank’s ‘cents gifting’ program, which has seen over $221,000 donated to Defence charity partners since 2015.
On behalf of the Bank, I would like to extend my thanks to our members for their partnership over the past unprecedented year, may our bond continue to be fruitful in 2021.
John Brooks
Chair
Read full edition here or read the individual stories below:
- CEO Message New Year
- Digital wallets have arrived
- Member - in focus
- Military Rewards Charity in Profile: Mates4Mates
