Product & Services News
2000 Archive
14/12/00 Wide Bay Capricorn launches new tailored credit card
Wide Bay Capricorn Building Society today introduced a tailored credit card called the Wide Bay Capricorn MasterCard.
Wide Bay Capricorn has launched a Silver and Gold MasterCard featuring the Wide Bay Capricorn brand, an introductory interest rate offer and a unique credit card photo ID to their customer base of around 70,000 members. A Rewards Programme and tailored customer service help-line are also part of the new credit card.
The new Wide Bay Capricorn MasterCard has been launched in partnership with Citibank, the world’s largest issuer of credit cards, and will be available through all 29 of the Society’s branches.
Wide Bay Capricorn Managing Director, Ron Hancock said he was very excited to be able to respond to customer needs by adding a credit card to the Society’s range of services. “We are pleased that our customers will now be able to carry a Wide Bay Capricorn MasterCard in their wallets.” he said.
"We have always been very proud of our close relationship with our customers. Our customer research not only indicated that a credit card was wanted, but also what was valued in a credit card, including added security of a photographic ID on the card and wide acceptance by merchants in our region, ” Mr Hancock said.
“By teaming up with Citibank we have been able to deliver this and a range of other benefits.”
"We can now offer our customers a well-established and highly regarded product, which carries our logo, but without having to invest in expensive set-up costs and specialist resources. Plus the Rewards Programme is regarded as one of the most comprehensive available and includes frequent flyer, vouchers, retail products and charity redemptions.”
Citibank Director of Payment Products, David Skillen said the new Wide Bay Capricorn MasterCard, and the servicing which supports it, has been tailored to meet the needs of Wide Bay Capricorn and their customers.
"Wide Bay Capricorn has enormous customer loyalty and it is vital that their product reflects that loyalty," Mr Skillen said.
Applications for the Wide Bay Capricorn MasterCard are now available through all Wide Bay Capricorn branches.
3/11/00 BPAY Bill Paying Service now available
Wide Bay Capricorn now offers BPAY to its customers with a quick and convenient bill payment service.
Mr Ron Hancock, Managing Director said from today when Society customers see the distinctive BPAY logo on their invoices they can pay these bills over-the-counter at their local branch or via Wide Bay’s “smartlink" telephone banking system,.
Mr Hancock said BPAY is very convenient helping bill-payers to avoid standing in queues, writing out cheques or experiencing payment delays.”
It also allows flexibility by enabling you to pay your bills day or night from your phone and, in coming months, by using our internet banking facilities.
Mr Hancock said the number of billers using BPAY nationally has topped 3400 - with around 50 more joining each month.
He said billers include local councils, gas, power and water utilities, schools, universities, finance companies, stock brokers, real estate agents, health funds, insurance and superannuation funds, Pay TV providers, telecommunications and Internet providers, software distributors, golf clubs and plant nurseries.
Bpay spokesperson, Linda Hemstrom said the wide range of bills that can now be paid through BPAY is certainly accelerating the growth of the service.
Australians traditionally take to new technology quickly and we are finding this with BPAY as people tell friends and family how easy it is to use.
Until the introduction of BPAY in 1997, 70 per cent of household bills in Australia were paid over-the-counter, 15 per cent by mail, 10 per cent over the phone and 5 per cent by direct debit, Ms Hemstrom said.
We believe the over-the-counter bill payment component now has dropped to less than 50 per cent as BPAY helps change people’s bill-paying habits.
One of BPAY's key strengths is that it meets a customer's desire to keep their bank account details between them and their financial institution. We found that customers are uncomfortable giving their account details to a third party because they feel a real loss of control over their financial affairs.
Mr Hancock said Society staff welcomed enquiries from account-holders regarding BPAY.
14/07/00 Society Agent for $7000 First Home Owners Grant
Wide Bay Capricorn Building Society will process applications for the new First Home Owner Grant Scheme (FHOG).
Mr Ron Hancock, Managing Director, said the Society is an agent for Offices of State Revenue which administer the $7000 payment to first home owners.
He said applications received by the Society from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia will be processed electronically by the Society via the internet.
"Grants approved for applications lodged through the Society will be paid on the loan settlement date - with the grant monies held by the Society on behalf of successful applicants up until that time."
Mr Hancock said staff had received extensive training regarding processing applications.
This included information on the conditions of approval and supporting evidence that is required.
Wide Bay Capricorn's Loan Consultants are available to assist Society borrowers and other local prospective first home owners with their FHOG enquiries.
10/07/00 New Financial Planning Company Launched
Society account-holders are be able to take advantage of a new financial planning service.
Wide Bay Capricorn Financial Planning Services Pty Ltd trading as Wealthpath has initially been launched in Bundaberg and on the Sunshine Coast.
The company is a partnership between the locally-based Wide Bay Capricorn Building Society Ltd and Financial Technology Securities Pty Ltd, a principal member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
Wide Bay Capricorn Building Society recognised the need to assist its account-holders and the public with a broader range of services.
Wealthpath brings together one of Queensland's fastest growing regionally-based financial institutions and the expertise of one of the State's most respected and experienced financial planning companies.
As we are an approved deposit taking institution, the ability to provide access to financial planning and advice is a logical extension of Wide Bay Capricorn's other banking activities.
Wealthpath offers local people the opportunity to achieve prosperity through planning and joint commitment by assisting with wealth creation, superannuation and life insurance, retirement planning, regular savings plans, and managing of lump sum investments.
