Release
Multimedia News Release: Boost for Veterans mental health through new credit card charity partnership - Defence Bank
1 Oct 2020 12:01 AM
• Defence Bank Foundation Visa Card launched today, available to all Australians
• Defence Bank will donate half of the annual fee of $45 to the Defence Bank Foundation, which supports Veterans to improve their mental health
• Images of the new credit card and more on how it will help Veterans is available here
• The Defence Bank Foundation Visa card has an introductory rate of 3.99% for the first six months before reverting to 8.99%, one of the lowest in the market.
For broadcast quality video and high-res images, please visit the Multimedia News Release:
Improving the mental health of Australia’s Veterans has been given a boost through a new partnership that will see credit card customers have half their annual fee donated to support Veterans.
Defence Bank today unveiled a new low rate credit card that’s lower than the major banks and will make a tangible difference to the lives of Veterans in need.
Defence Bank CEO David Marshall said the Defence Bank Foundation Card is welcome news for cardholders and Veterans at a time of significant mental health challenge and budget pressure.
“This is a big win for Australians looking for a better credit card deal and to support a very worthy cause.
“The Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card will be available to anyone in Australia.
“All funds raised will support the Defence Community Dogs program, which has already transformed the lives and mental health of hundreds of Veterans and their families.
“We are extremely proud to offer the new Defence Bank Foundation credit card.
“As a society we all recognise we need to do more to help our Veterans.
“At Defence Bank we have a strong record of supporting those who protect us and the credit card provides a tangible way for us to give back to the defence community.
“Not only does the card have one of the lowest interest rates in the market, but 50% of the annual $45 fee paid by cardholders will go directly to the Defence Bank Foundation.
“The Defence Bank Foundation supports Veterans dealing with injuries and illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety and depression.
“I’m delighted to announce this partnership. In the current economic climate, a low rate credit card will be attractive for many Australians.
“We anticipate support from existing and new members across Australia who have been asking us how they can support Veterans and make a positive difference to their mental health and wellbeing.
“The Defence Bank Foundation Visa card has an introductory rate of 3.99% for the first six months before reverting to 8.99%, one of the lowest in the market.
“I’d also caution consumers to avoid the so called ‘no interest’ cards that have flooded the market recently, which have much higher effective rates than what we offer today.”
Defence Bank Foundation CEO Leanne Kyle welcomed the initiative.
“The Defence Bank Foundation Visa Card is a win-win-win-win - a win for Members, Veterans, Rescue Dogs and Inmates.
“This is a really important initiative for Veterans and their families. We know just how strong and resilient the defence community is and how it stands up to help Veterans in need.
“Our Defence Community Dogs program changes lives through the provision of assistance dogs at no cost to Veterans.
“Under the program, rescue and rehomed dogs are trained in correctional facilities before being presented to Veterans, providing a second chance for the dogs, inmates and Veterans.
“Funds from the credit card annual fee will ramp up our program for Veterans and families in need.”
The credit card will also be compatible with digital wallets including Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Google and Samsung.
Images of the new credit card and more on how it will help Veterans is available here
A video about the work of the Defence Bank Foundation can be watched here
Defence Bank has over $2.7 billion in assets and 80-thousand members, is headquartered in Melbourne with a presence across Australia and supports Veterans through the Defence Bank Foundation.
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About Defence Bank.
Defence Bank is one of Australia’s larger member-owned banks serving not only the Australian Defence Force but the broader community as well, including staff in Commonwealth Department agencies.
Defence Bank has operated for more than 40 years and now has 80,000 members around Australia, over $2.7 billion in assets and 33 branches. The Bank’s purpose is to serve those who protect us and focuses on the financial needs of its Members. We are a purpose over profit organisation.
The Bank has a rating of BBB |Stable|A2 by S&P Global Ratings.
About Defence Bank Foundation.
The Defence Bank Foundation is a registered charity which raises funds to support serving and ex serving Australian Defence Force members living with injuries or illnesses such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The sole beneficiary of The Foundation in 2019 is the Defence Community Dogs program. The Defence Community Dogs program is a specialised Dog Training program which rescues abandoned dogs and trains them through Correctional Services to assist Veterans coping with PTSD.
It is a unique win, win, win program which gives dogs, inmates and veterans a second chance at life.
For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Michael O’Reilly
Executive Manager Marketing
M: 0475 601 225
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