A proposal to change the Credit Union s name

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1 A proposal to change the Credit Union s name

2 A proposal to change the Credit Union s name Chair s message This information booklet has been created for all Select Encompass Credit Union members, to help you understand the proposal for a name change to Endeavour Mutual Bank Ltd We know that you will have questions and I hope that the information provided will answer them. If not, feel free to call us on As a member of Select Encompass the decision whether or not to become a mutual bank is in your hands. The Credit Union has always been a mutual that is owned by its members, and that will not change. We will continue to exist for the benefit of members and will remain member-owned. This proposal will give members the best of both worlds, mutually owned though renamed and known as a bank. The Board unanimously recommends the name change. Members will have the opportunity to vote for the name change on Wednesday 13 December 2017 at the Annual General Meeting. If you are unable to attend the AGM, please vote using the proxy form. Eric Priestley Chair

3 What will the proposed new name and logo look like? The organisation is a mutual because members are customers and equal owners. The organisation will remain 100% Australian owned & operated, it will continue to invest ethically, to co-operate with other co-operatives, and to be socially responsible. The following important taglines have been developed to describe the organisation: This is effort & enterprise This is aiming high This is ambition & aspiration This is a mutual effort This is a mutual enterprise This is a mutual venture This is a mutual endeavour This is our bank

4 Why change the Credit Union s name? As a member-owned organisation the focus is always on members. The credit union constantly seeks to ensure that members have access to better banking, savings, investment and loan choices. Changing the name to Endeavour Mutual Bank will potentially enable the organisation to: Stay relevant and current for all members. Industry research has shown us that many consumers perceive credit unions to be old fashioned and to only offer limited products and services. Benefit from the reputational advantage of being called a bank. Source better pricing and services on behalf of members from a broader market. Meet the above challenges while still retaining the mutual (member-owned) status, values and principles upon which the credit union was founded. Why change the name now? The opportunity to change the name has come about as part of the Competitive and Sustainable Banking System reforms announced a few years ago by the Federal Government and Treasury. These reforms were prompted by community concerns in relation to the concentration of financial power in the hands of the major banks and the importance to position smaller banking institutions as competitive alternatives to the big banks for Australian consumers. The Government announced that they would put more competitive pressure on the big banks by building a new pillar in the banking system based on the combined competitive power of mutual credit unions and building societies. The decision to change the name now is because: Select Encompass meets the eligibility criteria to apply for regulatory approval to use the restricted term bank. The Government is supporting the promotion of mutual financial institutions as viable banking alternatives to the big banks.

5 It opens up new potential wholesale and corporate funding opportunities. As a well capitalised mutual credit union, there is the opportunity to adopt bank branding (Endeavour Mutual Bank) and also retain mutual (member-owned) status. As a shareholder member of Select Encompass, the Board of Directors, management and staff strongly recommend that you vote FOR the proposal at the Annual General Meeting (Wednesday 13 December 2017) for Select Encompass to change its name to Endeavour Mutual Bank. Why Endeavour Mutual Bank? The word Endeavour is synonymous with effort & enterprise, ambition & aspiration. Indeed, Select Encompass is a result of joint ventures in numerous credit unions coming together since initial formation in This mutual endeavour has seen the following credit unions join together: Encompass Credit Union Access NSW Employees CU Chullora Omnibus Employees CU CSR & Rinker Employees CU Government Transport CU Memberfirst CU Orion CU Raleigh Park Employees CU St George County Council Employees CU Tartan CU Willoughby Omnibus Employees CU Select Credit Union Brisbane Waters County Council Employees CU Coopers CU Dairy Farmers CU Kingsgrove Bus Depot Employees CU Motor Transport Employees CU Railways Staff CU Ryde Omnibus Employees CU Sydney County Council Employees CU Waverley Bus Depot Employees CU The word Mutual reinforces that members are customers and equal owners. Additionally the organisation will remain 100% Australian owned & operated, it will continue to invest ethically, to co-operate with other co-operatives, and to be socially responsible. Many consider mutual organisations as the original peer to peer lender and an original example of the sharing economy. The word Bank promotes strength and soundness to existing and future members. Whereas the expression safe as a bank still resonates with consumers, market research continues to reveal significant consumer misunderstanding of the term credit union.

6 Are there any other proposed changes? Yes, when the name changes the company cannot use the protected term credit union. Amendments to replace references in the Constitution from credit union to bank would ordinarily trigger the demutualisation procedures of Appendix 6 of the Constitution. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has granted an application to have the relevant provisions of Appendix 6 temporarily turned off to allow the change to proceed and avoid the significant cost of following those procedures. Another proposed change is to reduce the subscription price to $0 member shares. The requirement in the Constitution to pay cash for a member share does not reflect the trend of modern society towards a cashless economy. The Board has determined that it will assist in attracting younger members and enhance the online capability and competitiveness by removing this impediment to online banking. Some other mutuals have already made this change. The proposed amendment will reduce the subscription price to $nil. Due to legal complications that can arise, there will be no refund of subscriptions to existing members, but all members retain the right to be repaid the subscription if they terminate their membership. This change does not alter the rights of members under the Constitution. Members will receive a Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Notes. The Schedule of Constitutional Amendments is available on the website or from any Select Encompass office. Members can vote either by proxy or in person at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be held on Wednesday 13 December 2017 at 3:00pm.

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8 What is the name change process? To become a mutual bank the resolution requires the support of at least 75% of voting members. Members will be able to vote for the proposed change either by proxy, up until 3pm on Monday 11 December 2017, or in person at the AGM on Wednesday 13 December All shareholder members over the age of 18 are eligible to vote. The Board of Directors, management and staff believe your support and endorsement of this move is paramount and we encourage you to vote FOR this change. If approved by members, the name change will only be effected subject to the receipt of formal approval from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for consent to the use of the restricted words or expressions bank banker and banking under S66 of the Banking Act. If approved, when will the name change happen? Subject to the name change being approved by members, and subject to bank status being approved by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), the name change will occur from a date determined by APRA. Select Encompass Credit Union has requested that the name change be effective from 1 January What will happen if it is not approved? The credit union is in a strong financial position and this is expected to continue. However, this is considered the best opportunity to position the organisation for the future. If the name change is not approved then Select Encompass Credit Union Ltd will continue to face the same long term challenges, including: A consumer perception that we are old fashioned and do not offer a full range of banking products and services (e.g. credit cards, home loans, mobile banking etc). Being less competitive in attracting new and younger members. Limited access to cost-effective funding.

9 Have other credit unions or building societies similarly changed their name? The opportunity to change to a bank name has already been taken up by the following institutions: INSTITUTION Australian Defence Credit Union Community CPS Australia Community Mutual Group Defence Force Credit Union Greater Building Society Heritage Building Society Hume Building Society IMB Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union mecu NSW Teachers Credit Union The Police Department Employees CU Police & Nurses Credit Society Police Association Credit Co-Operative Qantas Credit Union Queensland Police Credit Union Queensland Teachers Credit Union SGE Credit Union Victoria Teachers Credit Union NAME CHANGED TO Australian Military Bank Limited Beyond Bank Australia Regional Australia Bank Defence Bank Limited Greater Bank Limited Heritage Bank Limited Hume Bank Limited IMB Bank Unity Bank Bank Australia (mecu Limited) Teachers Mutual Bank Limited Police Bank Limited P&N Bank BankVic Qudos Bank Qbank QT Mutual Bank Limited G&C Mutual Bank Limited Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank The Board of Directors has considered the experiences of other credit unions and building societies before making its recommendation, and they are satisfied that a change to Endeavour Mutual Bank will benefit members now and in the future. Does this mean the credit union will be demutualising? No. The organisation will remain member-owned and member focused, this will not change. The credit union has always been a mutual and will continue to exist for the benefit of members.

10 Will anything else change with a new name? If approved by members the name will be Endeavour Mutual Bank Ltd. In all other regards, the structure and operations of the organisation will not change: The organisation will remain a mutual financial institution i.e. 100% member owned. There will be no change to branches, accounts or day to day banking arrangements. The constitution will be updated to reflect the new name. Will the name change lead to acting like a big bank? No. The difference is that Endeavour Mutual Bank will remain member owned and member focused. Endeavour Mutual Bank will not be owned by a small number of large institutional investors and shareholders. The Credit Union has always provided banking services, it is regulated under the Banking Act and has to comply with the same Prudential Standards as any other regulated Authorised Deposit-taking Institution. We will remain different to the big banks and will continue to operate for the exclusive benefit of current and future generations of members and their families. Will the name change affect fees? No. Additional fees and charges will not be incurred as a result of the name change. Every effort will be made to provide members with valuable and reasonably priced products and services. Will the name change affect access to accounts and services? No. There will be no changes to your membership structure or day to day banking arrangements that you currently have in place. You will still have access to the same accounts and services, the same friendly staff and all the same rights and privileges you currently enjoy as a member. A change to Endeavour Mutual Bank will not inconvenience you, but rather provide more member benefits.

11 Your support is needed! For this change to happen, a minimum of 75% of members who vote must vote in favour of the resolution. Members can vote either by proxy or in person at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be held on Wednesday 13 December The Board of Directors has considered this opportunity for some time. During this time, management has commissioned research to listen to consumer views, sought expert advice, and consulted with other mutuals that have already changed their name. The Board has also consulted management and staff and has sought their views and support. On the basis of these considerations, the Board of Directors, management and staff of Select Encompass Credit Union Ltd strongly support and recommend that you join with us to vote FOR a name change to Endeavour Mutual Bank Ltd. You are important! If we are to change, it is important to us that the proposal is supported by the overwhelming majority of our members. The decision to become a mutual bank is literally in your hands as each member has equal voting rights and no one member carries a stronger influence over another. If you would like to know more about this proposal or if you have any questions, please feel free to get in contact. Member enquiries or questions contact Website The Annual General Meeting is set for Wednesday 13 December 2017 at 3:00pm at the Pier One Room, Mercure Sydney, George Street, Sydney NSW. The Board of Directors, management and staff would greatly value your decision to vote FOR a name change to Endeavour Mutual Bank Ltd.

12 If you have any questions or would like more information please contact us Information will be updated on the website Address correspondence to: The Company Secretary Select Encompass Credit Union Ltd PO Box 881 Haymarket NSW 1240 Select Encompass Credit Union Ltd, ABN , Australian Credit Licence Number and AFSL Registered Office: 59 Buckingham Street Surry Hills NSW 2010