About BCU

2008 - 2009

BW_LK_pic_8In early November 2008 CEO Ray Battle announced his impending retirement from BCU with Lyndon Kingston taking over the role of Chief Executive.


Lyndon came to the credit union from APRA, the organisation responsible for overseeing the governance and prudential operation of banks, building societies and credit unions. A Chartered Accountant with 20 years’ experience within the banking and commercial sector, Lyndon looks forward to helping drive BCU’s success well in to the future.   

BCU’s 38th annual general meeting was held at Urunga Bowling Club on November 24, 2008.

On December 1, 2008 BCU launch Yourtutor in Grafton for use by school students in the Clarence, Bellinger and Nambucca Shires. The official launch, was held at the Clarence Regional Library.

The following week BCU Chairman Gerry Regan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with North Coast TAFE formalising a joint commitment from both organisations to sustainable local solutions for vocational training, financial literacy and environmental performance.

In December BCU was thrilled to take out two accolades in the Money magazine Best Of The Best Awards for 2009 . Nominated in four non-bank categories, BCU was judged as having the Best e-Transaction Account and Best Transaction Account for its personal savings account created for everyday banking. BCU was also a finalist in two additional categories: Best Line of Credit Loan for the All-In-One Premier Loan; and Cheapest Low-Doc Loan with No Credit Impairment for the Low Doc Home Loan.

Also in December, BCU delivered an early Christmas present to members by passing on the Reserve Bank’s 1.0%pa rate reduction on new and existing business and home loans.

And in the week before Christmas, BCU brought its total number of branches to 23 with the opening of two new-look branches, BCU Murwillumbah and BCU Beaudesert.

Also in December the number of BCU Community Saver Account recipients had grown to 57 with a 375% increase in CSAs in a year.

After a quiet start to 2009, February brought yet another interest rate reduction of 1.0%pa followed by the announcement that BCU had gained a 5-star Cannex rating for it’s Business Overdraft – Secured product.

February and March saw the introduction of BCU’s new Vision and Values at staff roadshows across the branch network.

BCU’s Vision is “To be the best people locally, to talk to about money”.

Staff at the new Beaudesert Branch celebrated an official opening with a family fun day featuring a highly-successful appearance by players from the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans .

March also brought the introduction of ATM Direct Charging which brought about changes to the BCU Direct membership to ensure remote members were not disadvantaged.

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans spent a week in Coffs Harbour in preparation for the opening of the 2009 season.