Horizon announces app upgrade
We’re excited to announce improvements to the Horizon Bank app, including a new confirmation of payee feature to be added soon!
What you can expect in the app
The app features a new user-friendly design.
After logging in, users will now land directly on the Accounts Summary screen.
The Transfer screen will no longer open in a separate Online Banking window, making the experience more seamless.
The main menu has moved from the top left corner to a bottom quick link bar, which is accessible from any screen within the app.
A new Profile tab has been added, featuring:
The ability to add a personalised picture to your app
Access to your account settings
Options to set up Quick Balance and Savings Goals
The Home screen has been enhanced with Savings Goals now positioned at the bottom of the Accounts list. Users can also customise this screen by reordering or hiding accounts to suit their preferences.
… and a new Confirmation of Payee feature (to be added soon) that provides a layer of protection for payments.
What is Confirmation of Payee?
Confirmation of Payee is an industry-wide service that matches the bank account details entered by a payer with the account details held by the recipient’s bank and displays a match outcome to the payer. It’s a new layer of protection for Australian consumers and businesses when they’re making a payment to a BSB and account number.
How does it work:
Confirmation of Payee matches the bank account details entered by the payer with the account details held by the recipient’s bank and displays the outcome.
The payer can then make an informed decision about what to do next – pay, check the details with the intended recipient again or choose not to proceed with the payment altogether.
Horizon is excited to unveil our Annual Report for the 2024/2025 financial year (FY25).
This report contains yet another year of strong financial results. It also showcases Horizon's ongoing focus & commitment to our communities, continued investment in technology. We're proud to share our progress with you.
See the full Annual Report below.
Notice of Annual General Meeting Horizon Credit Union Ltd
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 trading as Horizon Bank, will be held on Thursday, 6th November 2025, 5.30pm at 27 Stewart St, Wollongong.
For more information, click here.
ABN 66 087 650 173
Horizon Bank is proud to announce it is a Climate Active certified organisation - certified by the Australian Government’s Climate Active program.
Respecting the environment is one of Horizon’s core values, and the Bank has been working hard to put words into action.
Over recent years, Horizon has taken meaningful steps in its business operations, to reduce emissions where possible and invested in projects that reduce or remove carbon from the atmosphere. An example is Greenfleet, a not-for-profit native plant reforestation organisation. Horizon staff member Claire is pictured above. She, along with other staff, volunteered their time to help plant the natives.
“We’re proud to announce Horizon Bank's business operations are Climate Active certified,” Horizon Bank CEO, Mitch Cooper.
“This certification marks another step in our long-standing commitment to reducing our environmental impact and supporting a more sustainable economy. Through clear, measurable actions to reduce, track, and offset our emissions, we’re helping build a healthier, more resilient future for the communities we serve."
Climate Active certification is awarded to organisations that have achieved a state of carbon neutrality in their business operations.
It represents the most rigorous and credible benchmark for climate responsibility in Australia, ensuring that certified organisations have accounted for and balanced their emissions through verified methods.
This milestone is an important part of Horizon’s broader sustainability journey. The Bank remains committed to exploring further opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint while supporting projects that deliver lasting benefits for both communities and the planet.
We're pleased to announce that from September, our new Horizon Visa Debit and Credit cards will commence circulation. If you have a Horizon Visa Debit or Credit card, it will continue to function as usual. You will receive the new card design when your card is due for renewal.
The cards celebrate our coastal locations and they include the following features:
Portrait front design. Landscape design on the back
Flat durable card numbers in large font - overcoming the issue of ink erosion on raised embossed numbers
Made with 82% recycled plastic – in keeping with our sustainability efforts
The design includes a notch and braille for the visually impaired
Satin finish on the card for ease of visibility
Silver coloured chip design feature
No signature panel to sign
Cardholders will start to see the new designs in their Horizon app. While the graphic may change in the app, existing cards retain the same functionality.
Introducing ... Handy Card Controls
Also commencing Monday 1 September 2025, members will have the ability to restrict certain types of transactions for their card via Card Controls in the Horizon App. This is achieved via the Cards menu in the Horizon Bank app.
Card controls available include:
Toggle on/off the ability to use the card online purchases, Digital Wallet purchases, ATM withdrawals and international transfers.
Change your PIN (note this can also be done within Online Banking)
Temporary lock – if you've lost your card, you can temporarily lock it. Recurring transactions will continue to be unaffected.
Report lost or stolen cards.
How to access card controls
Card Controls are available exclusively through the Horizon Bank App. For your security, our customer service team can’t set these up on your behalf, but they’re happy to help if you have any questions.
Toggle On/Off with Ease
To manage your card settings:
1. Log in to the Horizon Bank App2. Tap the ‘Cards’ tab3. Swipe to select the card you'd like to manage4. Scroll down to see controls on online purchases, Digital Wallet purchases, ATM withdrawals and international transfers5. Toggle settings for the features you want from the slider on the right-hand side
In response to the Reserve Bank of Australia decision on 12 August 2025 to reduce the cash rate by 0.25%, Horizon Bank will be passing on the full benefit of this interest rate cut to our variable rate residential mortgage borrowers. This 0.25% decrease will take effect on 1 September 2025.
Port Kembla Public School were the worthy recipient of a Horizon Bank Community grant for 2024/25. They used their grant for an Indigenous Garden Project which features a Yarning Circle with repurposed sandstone boulders, positioned at the front of the school.
As part of the school's NAIDOC Week celebrations, a traditional smoking ceremony was held to mark the occasion and the completion of the Yarning Circle.
This initiative creates a welcoming and educational space that serves as a reconciliation garden for all students.
Bermagui Preschool Cooperative Society Receives Community Grant from Horizon Bank
The Bermagui Preschool Cooperative Society were a successful Horizon Bank Community grants recipient for the 2024/25 year. They were thrilled to receive $5,000 to be used towards their Moodji Futures Project at the preschool.
With the Horizon Bank grant, the preschool were able to purchase essential materials to assist in bringing the project to life which included building a new multimodal polyhoop workshop. They were also able to purchase materials and tools enabling them to step up farm operations and support volunteers to get involved.
This project will engage people of all ages within the Bega Valley Shire community in many ways – for example their plans to hold interactive workshops, engage with the local school kids, have special guests such as Costa Georgiadis visit & the implementation of a composting hub. In the application Dan Bakker, who is the Project & Events Manager, explains the importance of the project stating Moodji (Moodji means ‘friend’ in the native Djiranganj language) Farm will bolster provincial drought and climate change mitigation initiatives by drawing on local agronomists, Indigenous partners, artists, volunteers and permaculturalists”.
It is clear the focus on sustainability and mitigating the effects of climate change is something that will positively benefit the community for years to come.
Elder Abuse: Have a conversation about financial harm
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) and Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia are urging older Australians, their families, friends and carers to have conversations about how to better protect themselves from scams and financial abuse this Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
ABA CEO Anna Bligh said older Australians were more likely to be susceptible to financial abuse or the target of scams.
“Unfortunately, every day banks see elderly people in our community fall victim to scams,” Ms Bligh said.
“Older Australians have worked hard for their savings, and they deserve to feel safe, respected and in control of their finances.
“Banks are very active and working around the clock to help keep customers safe from financial harm, however having conversations with loved ones about how to better protect yourself can go a long way too.
“Having conversations about scam warning signs and putting in place practical safeguards such as updating and varying passwords or enabling two step verifications can also help to keep older Australians safer.
“When it comes to financial abuse, it’s vital people know what it might look like, how it might occur, and have the knowledge of what action they can take if they see it happening or are a victim themselves.
“Banks are highly alert to the warning signs of elder financial abuse, train their staff to recognise red flags and have specialist teams that can respond and support victims.”
COTA Australia Acting CEO Corey Irlam said no older Australian should live in fear of their finances being taken over or misused by anyone, including someone they trust.
“Financial elder abuse is far more common than people realise, and sadly, it can sometimes start with a trusted family member, carer or friend,” Mr Irlam said.
“Financial independence and confidence are key to ageing with dignity.
“A simple conversation with an older relative or friend might not only help them increase their understanding of financial abuse, but also their confidence when banking, particularly online.
“Increased confidence may support older people to recognise potential financial crimes, including scams or fraud and assist people to seek support if they are being subject to abuse.
“It’s time we stop treating elder abuse, including financial crimes against older people, as a private matter – it’s a serious issue that deserves urgent national action.”
The ABA and COTA are calling for stronger national safeguards to protect older Australians, including:
Harmonisation of Enduring Power of Attorney arrangements across all states and territories
A national register of power of attorney instruments
A designated body that can receive and investigate suspected elder abuse.
