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    <title>News</title>
    <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/</link>
    <description />
    <generator>Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco</generator>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10659</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/visa-fifa-world-cup-2026-competition/</link>
      <title>Win a Trip to the FIFA World Cup 26™</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="primary"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;img src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4385/fwc26_1200x400.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e26b0e769b8b4893ac4fbd6334f131f1" /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5 class="intro-para"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your Horizon Bank Visa Card could take you to the FIFA World Cup 26™!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Game on. Spend to win.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Use your eligible Horizon Bank Visa card for everyday purchases and you could see the&lt;strong&gt; FIFA World Cup 26™ live.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;From 1 March to 25 April 2026, every $500 AUD you spend earns you one automatic entry into the draw.&lt;br /&gt;No registration. No forms. Just tap, pay and you’re in.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✅ How to Enter&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Getting in the game is easy:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;• Use your eligible Horizon Bank Visa card&lt;br /&gt;• Spend $500 AUD or more during the promotional period&lt;br /&gt;• Receive one (1) automatic entry for every $500 spent (e.g. spend $1,500 = 3 entries)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;That’s it, every eligible purchase brings you closer to kick-off.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;🏆 What You Could Win&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Major Prize (1 Winner)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A trip to the &lt;strong&gt;FIFA World Cup 26™ for two (2) adults,&lt;/strong&gt; including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎟 Category 1 tickets to &lt;strong&gt;two (2) FIFA World Cup 26™ matches&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✈️ Return economy flights from Australia to San Francisco&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🏨 &lt;strong&gt;Six (6) nights’ 4-star accommodation&lt;/strong&gt; (twin share)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🍳 Daily breakfast for two&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🚌 Match-day transport and airport transfers&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;⭐ On-site Visa hospitality support&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;💼 &lt;strong&gt;$1,000 Flight Centre voucher&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;(towards travel to your nearest international airport, if required)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;📺 Minor Prizes (3 Winners)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Hisense premium home entertainment systems, each including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Hisense Smart TV&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Hisense sound system&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;🎁 Runner-Up Prizes (10 Winners)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Official &lt;strong&gt;FIFA World Cup 26™ merchandise vouchers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Valued at &lt;strong&gt;$700 AUD each&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start spending with your &lt;strong&gt;Horizon Bank Visa card&lt;/strong&gt; today and you could be cheering at the FIFA World Cup 26™!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Important Information&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;T&amp;amp;Cs apply, see &lt;a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visa.com.au%2Fpromotions%2Ffifa.html&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Cahammer%40visa.com%7C1149a12785df476966c508de6ac5199d%7C38305e12e15d4ee888b9c4db1c477d76%7C0%7C0%7C639065592280020507%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=lRhL4xAG0yEak%2BJSfoYrPb8sDBXvToOToBjfA7P3AXU%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0"&gt;https://www.visa.com.au/promotions/fifa.html&lt;/a&gt;. AU res 18+. Cardholder, communications &amp;amp; travel criteria &amp;amp; transaction exclusions apply, see terms. Ends 11:59pm AEST 25/4/26. 1 entry p/$500 spent. 1 minor/runner‑up prize p/person (excl SA). NSW TP/04034. ACT TP26/00206. SA T26/145.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:46:48 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-03-12T03:46:48Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10650</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/scam-alert-caller-id-spoofing-scam/</link>
      <category>Scam Alerts</category>
      <title>Scam Alert: Caller ID Spoofing Scam</title>
      <description>&lt;h4 data-start="194" data-end="353"&gt;2nd February 2026&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start="194" data-end="353"&gt;Caller ID Spoofing Scam&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Criminals impersonate companies, including banks, by disguising their phone number. These calls can look legitimate, even though they’re not.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong data-start="355" data-end="378"&gt;How this scam works&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start="381" data-end="431"&gt;You receive a call that appears to be from a professional organisation, perhaps even Horizon Bank.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="381" data-end="431"&gt;The caller may claim to be from an admin or fraud team and warns of suspicious or urgent activity.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="381" data-end="431"&gt;You’re asked to share a one-time password or security code to “stop” or “reverse” a transaction.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="381" data-end="431"&gt;That code is then used to access or move your money.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start="675" data-end="702"&gt;&lt;strong data-start="675" data-end="702"&gt;How to protect yourself&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start="705" data-end="796"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Horizon Bank will never ask you to share a one-time password.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="705" data-end="796"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Horizon Bank will never call from a private number.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="705" data-end="796"&gt;If a call feels urgent, unexpected or doesn’t feel right, don’t engage.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="705" data-end="796"&gt;Hang up and contact Horizon Bank directly on 1300 366 565.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start="705" data-end="796"&gt;If you think you or someone else may have been targeted, notify us immediately so we can help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start="1104" data-end="1184"&gt;If you’re unsure, pause and check. Taking a moment could prevent financial loss.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 03:21:09 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-02-02T03:21:09Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10649</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/rally-for-recovery-receives-horizon-bank-community-grant/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>Rally for Recovery receives Horizon Bank Community Grant</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Rally for Recovery &lt;span&gt;operates from a converted and upgraded Eurobodalla Council Fire Service shed in Tomakin NSW. &lt;/span&gt;Thirty volunteers use this space to raise money for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation, working twice weekly all year in unheated and uncooled premises. The Horizon Bank grant was used to fund the purchase and installation of a split system air conditioner, creating a comfortable environment for the volunteers who sell second-hand and donated items.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4373/rally-for-recovery-ac-unit.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f55f2d9dd2284f9297a4f19ab6c7ba7e" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:51:42 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-26T23:51:42Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10647</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/digital-cards-are-here/</link>
      <category>Banking and Finance</category>
      <title>Digital cards are here</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Have you noticed your Horizon Visa card in our mobile app yet?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here’s what you need to know:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Digital cards means you will no longer be without access to funds if your card is lost or stolen.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;When a new card is ordered, card numbers will be displayed in the Horizon app immediately. The card is active – no need to activate! You can then add your Horizon Visa card to your Apple wallet, Samsung or Google wallet.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You will still receive a new plastic card, which will be sent in 7-10 days. There is no pin sent, as you will need to select a PIN for this digital card via our app.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You can immediately utilise &lt;a href="/help/banking-help/card-controls/" title="Card Controls"&gt;card controls&lt;/a&gt; as well.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information or if you have any questions, please &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;contact us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 04:38:04 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-19T04:38:04Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10645</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/marine-rescue-bermagui-receives-horizon-bank-community-grant/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>Marine Rescue Bermagui receives Horizon Bank community grant</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Marine Rescue Bermagui purchased an emergency management whiteboard with funding received from a Horizon Bank community grant. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Grants Officer Stephen Knight said "The addition of this Whiteboard ensures that the Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue Operations personnel and other emergency services who come to Bermagui to plan and coordinate Search and Rescues actioned by our own Volunteers at Bermagui and other emergency services, are working in a base that has all the equipment they require to meet their needs in an emergency. We are most grateful for the support of Horizon Bank and the service we receive from your friendly Bermagui staff."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4369/marine-rescue-bermagui-whiteboard.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8bcd2431b5854c31a776c037c907ffd1" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:54:42 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-18T23:54:42Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10643</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/icc-receives-horizon-bank-community-grant/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>ICC receives Horizon Bank Community Grant</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Illawarra Cancer Carers are a not-for-profit group of volunteers, working to improve the caring environment for cancer patients in the Illawarra.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They were the successful applicants of a Horizon Bank Community grant for 2025/26, receiving $5,000 to upgrade sewing machines, which are used by volunteers to make garments. These are then sold to raise funds to help cancer patients in the Illawarra. Proceeds are also used to buy equipment for the Wollongong Cancer Care Centre and for cancer research.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Illawarra Cancer Carers also upgraded their massage tables and had their Lymphoedema equipment serviced.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4366/icc-sewing-machines.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2ac8ce02c96040f9aef85e29f74d9436" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4367/icc.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b30ed4744c2e47b88d32558e0573d28a" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:54:24 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-13T03:54:24Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10639</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/marine-rescue-sussex-inlet-receives-horizon-bank-community-grant/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet receives Horizon Bank Community Grant</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet was the successful applicant of a Horizon Bank community grant for 2025/26. They serve the boating public (both locals and visitors) in Wreck Bay, Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin and Swan Lake waterways. Their accredited Marine Radio Base operations provide both wellbeing monitoring for vessels, and receiving and responding to phone &amp;amp; radio calls for assistance of varying seriousness, including MAYDAY calls.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The grant of $5,000 was used to purchase a backup generator. Grants Coordinator Neil McCorkell said "This generator has been installed to kick in at the flip of a switch to provide backup power to our base. This provision of backup power will allow us to provide continuous emergency services capability to save lives on the water during times when it is critically needed and mains power is down - i.e.; during flood, fire and storms".&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4363/img_6399.jpeg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e0b02857f33b4f22810b640746e8c8a6" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;Pictured Left to right: Skippers Aaron, Tony and Jim&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:14:13 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-13T00:14:13Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10637</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/1st-austinmer-scout-group-receives-horizon-bank-grant/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>1st Austinmer Scout Group receives Horizon Bank grant</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;1st Austinmer Scout Group recently completed a refurbishment to Austinmer scout Hall, which was co-funded by both a federal grant and a community grant from Horizon Bank. Federal member Alison Byrne met with Scout group members, and Kaylee from Horizon Bank Thirroul to see the outcome of the refurb, which included major roof repairs to the hall.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4361/photo.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9188137daf6a459fabffab81fe564f4c" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Paul Rustomji, from Austinmer Scouts said "we are very grateful for the grant funding Horizon Bank has provided to us.  It makes a big difference to grass roots community groups such as our scout group and the other hall hirers to be able to maintain our community infrastructure".&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:41:07 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-12T23:41:07Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10635</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/new-aed-for-long-beach-community-association/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>New AED for Long Beach Community Association</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The Long Beach Community Association has been announced as a successful recipient of a Horizon Bank Community Grant, securing $2,500 to purchase an alarmed public defibrillator for Long Beach Recreation Park. The lifesaving device was officially unveiled at the Long Beach Christmas Markets on Sunday 14 December, 2025 with Horizon Bank Moruya Branch Manager Jenny McKenzie attending the event to mark the occasion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Public access defibrillators play a critical role in cardiac emergencies. Research shows that for every minute a person in cardiac arrest does not receive defibrillation; their chance of survival drops by around 10 per cent. (Source: St Johns Ambulance Australia) Having a defibrillator readily available in a well-used community space like Long Beach Recreation Park could be the difference between life and death.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The installation of the defibrillator reflects the community’s commitment to improving safety and reducing the risk of heart-related fatalities in the local area, ensuring residents and visitors alike have access to vital emergency equipment when it is needed most.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 400px; max-height: 400px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4359/img_2578.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5f5fe80ef2424c5c8c4956ab6ef2c2b7" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;Pictured: Ian Gray and Moruya Branch Manager, Jenny McKenzie&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:22:25 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-01-12T23:22:25Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10618</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/everyday-banking-is-now-fee-free/</link>
      <category>Banking and Finance</category>
      <title>Everyday banking is now fee-free</title>
      <description>&lt;h3&gt;Goodbye transaction fees!&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’re making everyday banking simpler and more affordable for our members. From 1 November, Horizon Bank has removed everyday transaction fees across a range of services, so you can keep more of your money for the things that matter to you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;From taking out cash to paying your bills, everyday banking with Horizon is now fee free. This includes:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;ATM withdrawals*&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Balance enquiries&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;EFTPOS purchases&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;BPAY payments&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Direct debits&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In-branch transactions**&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These changes reflect our commitment to fair, community-focused banking. We know that small fees can add up over time, especially for anyone keeping a close eye on their budget. Removing them is just one way we are making banking easier for our members. You don’t need to do a thing for these changes to take effect. The updates apply automatically to all eligible Horizon Bank accounts, so you can enjoy fee-free banking straight away.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As a bank run for locals by locals, everything we do is about supporting the people and communities we serve. Fee-free everyday banking is just another reason to speak with your friendly local Horizon team. If you have questions or want to learn more about how these changes benefit you, visit your nearest branch or &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;get in touch with us online&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;*ATM transactions are fee-free when using ATMX and most major Australian bank ATMs. ATM fees may still be charged by private owners. &lt;br /&gt;**Fees may apply in circumstances such as large cash withdrawals or coin deposits, speak to your branch for further details or see our &lt;a href="/reusable-documents/rates-fees/fees-charges-schedule/" title="Fees &amp;amp; Charges Schedule"&gt;Fees &amp;amp; Charges brochure&lt;/a&gt;. For full terms and conditions visit our &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/about-us/corporate-information/disclosure-documents/" target="_blank" title="Disclosure Documents"&gt;Disclosure documents.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:00:26 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-11-18T22:00:26Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10584</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/confirmation-of-payee/</link>
      <title>Confirmation of Payee</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Confirmation of Payee?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How does it work: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Confirmation of Payee matches the account name, BSB and account number entered by the payer with the account details held by the recipient’s bank and displays the outcome.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The payer can then make an informed decision about what to do next – pay, check the details with the intended recipient or choose not to proceed with the payment altogether.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who offers it&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Confirmation of Payee is an industry-wide service and is an initiative of Australian Payments Plus (AP+). &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why does it matter?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Confirmation of Payee can help safeguard people and businesses from fraud, scams and mistaken payments, and help protect their money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It provides confidence that the details entered match the details held by the recipient’s bank.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It gives banks and financial institutions another vital tool to combat fraud and scams and further builds trust when paying a BSB and account number in Australia.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/help/scams-security/confirmation-of-payee/" title="Confirmation of Payee"&gt;Click here or more information on Confirmation of Payee&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:22:39 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-11-06T05:22:39Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10578</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/app-upgrade/</link>
      <title>App Upgrade</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Horizon announces app upgrade&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’re excited to announce improvements to the Horizon Bank app, including a new confirmation of payee feature!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What you can expect in the app&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The app features a new user-friendly design.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;After logging in, users will now land directly on the Accounts Summary screen.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Transfer screen will no longer open in a separate Online Banking window, making the experience more seamless.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;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.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A new Profile tab has been added, featuring:
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The ability to add a personalised picture to your app&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Access to your account settings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Options to set up Quick Balance and Savings Goals&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;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.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;… and a new Confirmation of Payee feature that provides a layer of protection for payments.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Confirmation of Payee?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How does it work: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:36:25 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-11-06T04:36:25Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10602</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/year-in-review-2024-2025/</link>
      <title>Year in Review 2024-2025</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Check out our interactive Year in Review publication for 2024/25&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://player.flipsnack.com?hash=RUU2QzZENUVGQjUraGlxejAyMjVzNA==" width="100%" height="480" seamless="seamless" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-read; clipboard-write"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:04:22 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-29T04:04:22Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10576</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/annual-report-2025/</link>
      <title>Annual Report 2025</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Horizon is excited to unveil our Annual Report for the 2024/2025 financial year (FY25).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This report contains yet another year of strong financial results. It also showcases Horizon's ongoing focus &amp;amp; commitment to our communities, continued investment in technology. We're proud to share our progress with you. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;See the full Annual Report below. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://player.flipsnack.com?hash=RUU2QzZENUVGQjUrZHhqc3R1dW83aw==" width="100%" height="1123" seamless="seamless" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-read; clipboard-write"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:12:20 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-03T04:12:20Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10575</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/agm-2025/</link>
      <title>Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Notice of Annual General Meeting Horizon Credit Union Ltd&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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, 6&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; November 2025, 5.30pm at 27 Stewart St, Wollongong.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, &lt;a href="/about-us/corporate-information/" title="Corporate Information"&gt;click here. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ABN 66 087 650 173&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:04:59 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-10-03T04:04:59Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10517</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/horizon-bank-is-a-climate-active-certified-organisation/</link>
      <category>Environment</category>
      <title>Horizon Bank is Climate Active certified</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Horizon Bank is proud to announce it is a Climate Active certified organisation - certified by the Australian Government’s Climate Active program.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Respecting the environment is one of Horizon’s core values, and the Bank has been working hard to put words into action.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“We’re proud to announce Horizon Bank's business operations are Climate Active certified,” Horizon Bank CEO, Mitch Cooper.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Climate Active certification is awarded to organisations that have achieved a state of carbon neutrality in their business operations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:32:53 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-09-16T09:32:53Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10537</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/new-visa-card-designs-and-features/</link>
      <title>New Visa Card Designs and Card Controls</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The cards celebrate our coastal locations and they include the following features:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Portrait front design. Landscape design on the back&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Flat durable card numbers in large font - overcoming the issue of ink erosion on raised embossed numbers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Made with 82% recycled plastic – in keeping with our sustainability efforts&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The design includes a notch and braille for the visually impaired&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Satin finish on the card for ease of visibility&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Silver coloured chip design feature&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;No signature panel to sign&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="width: 50%; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4257/visa-cards.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8c267eea90824dfe859168ced8f674f8" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 class="ribbon"&gt;Introducing ... Handy Card Controls&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="width: 50%; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4258/card-controls.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/64699a090ed144e181b5287b40a2deb4" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Card controls available include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Toggle on/off the ability to use the card online purchases, Digital Wallet purchases, ATM withdrawals and international transfers.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Change your PIN (note this can also be done within Online Banking)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Temporary lock – if you've lost your card, you can temporarily lock it. Recurring transactions will continue to be unaffected.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Report lost or stolen cards.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h6&gt;How to access card controls&lt;/h6&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Toggle On/Off with Ease&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To manage your card settings:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Log in to the Horizon Bank App&lt;br /&gt;2. Tap the ‘Cards’ tab&lt;br /&gt;3. Swipe to select the card you'd like to manage&lt;br /&gt;4. Scroll down to see controls on online purchases, Digital Wallet purchases, ATM withdrawals and international transfers&lt;br /&gt;5. Toggle settings for the features you want from the slider on the right-hand side&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:19:06 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-08-26T00:19:06Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10513</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/rba-025-interest-rate-decrease-aug25/</link>
      <title>RBA Interest Rate decrease Aug25</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2025 23:03:57 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-08-13T23:03:57Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10512</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/port-kembla-ps-yarning-circle/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>Port Kembla P.S Yarning Circle</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This initiative creates a welcoming and educational space that serves as a reconciliation garden for all students.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4236/port-kembla-ps-yarning-circle-cgp-recipient.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b474c00356b241da95943d971ed5102a" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:44:04 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-08-12T02:44:04Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10483</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/bermagui-preschool-receives-community-grant-from-horizon-bank/</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>Bermagui Preschool Receives Community Grant from Horizon Bank</title>
      <description>&lt;h2&gt;Bermagui Preschool Cooperative Society Receives Community Grant from Horizon Bank&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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 &amp;amp; the implementation of a composting hub. In the application Dan Bakker, who is the Project &amp;amp; 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”.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4212/6-completion-1.jpg?width=501&amp;amp;height=376&amp;amp;mode=max" alt="" width="400" height="400" data-udi="umb://media/bdc51f021ace4bd4a8481ce4093cef3e" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 03:07:20 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-07-07T03:07:20Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10460</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/elder-abuse/</link>
      <category>Scams</category>
      <title>Elder Abuse</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Elder Abuse: Have a conversation about financial harm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;ABA CEO Anna Bligh said older Australians were more likely to be susceptible to financial abuse or the target of scams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Unfortunately, every day banks see elderly people in our community fall victim to scams,” Ms Bligh said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Older Australians have worked hard for their savings, and they deserve to feel safe, respected and in control of their finances.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;COTA Australia Acting CEO Corey Irlam said&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;no older Australian should live in fear of their finances being taken over or misused by anyone, including someone they trust.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Financial independence and confidence are key to ageing with dignity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“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.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The ABA and COTA are calling for stronger national safeguards to protect older Australians, including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Harmonisation of Enduring Power of Attorney arrangements across all states and territories&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A national register of power of attorney instruments&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A designated body that can receive and investigate suspected elder abuse.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2025 06:00:00 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-06-20T06:00:00Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10450</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/ceo-news/</link>
      <title>CEO News</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;img style="max-width: 380px; max-height: 254px; width: auto; height: auto;" src="https://horizonbank.com.au/media/4195/jon-mitch-0525-v2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/225de016f42e4d4c9d624d384508cdce" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Next month, after more than two decades of exceptional service and leadership, Horizon's CEO, Jon Stanfield will pass the CEO baton to Mitch Cooper.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Jon Stanfield's journey with Horizon began in September 2003 when he joined as Corporate Services Manager. In June 2004, he was appointed General Manager during one of the most emotionally challenging periods in our organisation's history, following the tragic passing of then-General Manager Simon Whiteman. Jon's steady hand and empathy ensured Horizon's stability during that difficult time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Throughout his tenure, Jon's leadership shone brightest in times of adversity. He has guided Horizon with clarity and resolve.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Among Jon's numerous achievements include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Leading Horizon through the two global crises: Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Overseeing two mergers – Eurobodalla Credit Union &amp;amp; Lysaght Credit Union&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Relocating four branches to the centre of their towns reinforcing our community focus – Moruya, Nowra, Ulladulla &amp;amp; Bega&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Rebranding to Horizon Bank to attract young members&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Opening a new branch in Berry&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Throughout, Jon remained a humble and dedicated leader, often reminding us that we are all custodians of Horizon.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;His stewardship has been marked by integrity, thoughtful decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to our values and community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As Jon steps away from his role, we warmly welcome Mitch Cooper as Horizon's new CEO.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Mitch’s career with Horizon spans over 20 years with experience across retail banking, lending, finance, treasury, risk, and project management.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;His deep understanding of our organisation, members, and values, along with his extensive experience makes him the ideal person to lead us into the future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Horizon Bank enters this new chapter with gratitude for Jon's outstanding service and full confidence in Mitch's capable hands. We look forward to the journey ahead.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thank you, Jon. Welcome, Mitch.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Viktor Tomeski, Chair&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:59:33 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-06-11T00:59:33Z</a10:updated>
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    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10389</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/horizon-bank-has-the-lowest-variable-home-loan-rate-abc-news/</link>
      <title>"Horizon Bank has the lowest variable home loan rate" ABC News</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Horizon Bank has the lowest variable home loan rate&lt;/strong&gt;”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a name="_ftnref1" href="#_ftn1"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;ABC News&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Horizon Bank has come up trumps with the sharpest new variable rate in the country”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;a name="_ftnref2" href="#_ftn2"&gt;[2]&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Australian Broker&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Horizon Bank now offers the lowest variable rate on the market” &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a name="_ftnref3" href="#_ftn3"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[3]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Yahoo Finance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;Horizon Bank has taken the title of the lowest variable rate lender in the market with a first home buyer loan. Horizon Bank has outdone its competitors, offering a new record low variable rate&lt;/strong&gt;”&lt;/em&gt; &lt;a name="_ftnref4" href="#_ftn4"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[4]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Canstar Finance News&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In a significant development for prospective homeowners, Horizon Bank has been recognised for offering the lowest advertised variable home loan rate in Australia!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This competitive variable rate of 5.24%p.a. is specifically tailored for first-home buyers who can provide a 30% deposit.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Financial comparison platforms have highlighted Horizon Bank's offering. Canstar reported that Horizon Bank has taken the title of the lowest variable rate lender in the market with this 5.24%p.a rate. Similarly, Mortgage Professional Australia noted Horizon Bank's emergence with the lowest advertised variable rate currently available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the current lending environment, many banks have adjusted their rates following the Reserve Bank of Australia's recent cash rate cut. While major banks like CBA, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ have reduced their rates, Horizon Bank's offering remains notably lower. For instance, CBA, Westpac, and ANZ have rates starting from 5.59%, but these are often limited to digital-only or refinance products.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Horizon Bank's current variable home loan rate positions it as a leader in the Australian mortgage market, especially for first-home buyers. With industry recognition and a clear commitment to customer value, Horizon Bank offers a compelling option for those entering the property market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-30/asx-markets-business-news-as-it-happened-/105356424"&gt;CBA customers hit by transfer glitch, ASX finishes the day higher — as it happened - ABC News&lt;/a&gt; 30 May 25&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[2]&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.brokernews.com.au/news/breaking-news/lenders-slash-home-loan-rates-as-competition-heats-up-287289.aspx"&gt;Lenders slash home loan rates as competition heats up | Australian Broker News&lt;/a&gt; Mina Martin 3 June 25&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[3]&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/cba-nab-anz-pass-on-rba-interest-rate-cut-today-as-westpacs-24-million-a-day-boon-exposed-031953136.html"&gt;CBA, NAB, ANZ pass on RBA interest rate cut today as Westpac’s $2.4 million a day ‘boon’ exposed&lt;/a&gt; 30 May 25&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;&lt;span&gt;[4]&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/lowest-variable-rate-drops-following-rate-cuts/"&gt;Lowest variable rate hits 5.24% following rate cuts | Canstar&lt;/a&gt; 30 May 25&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="fine-print"&gt;The comparison rate is calculated on a loan amount of $150,000 over a term of 25 years. WARNING: * This comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees &amp;amp; charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms and conditions, fees &amp;amp; charges apply and are available on application. Approval conditions apply. The loan is secured and the rate is variable. Owner occupied only. All borrowers must be first home buyers and must have not previously purchased property in Australia. Terms and Conditions, fees &amp;amp; charges may apply &amp;amp; are available on request. Horizon Credit Union Limited ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian credit licence number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank. 27 Stewart Street, Wollongong NSW 2500. Information correct at 3.6.25 subject to change.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:49:41 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-06-03T00:49:41Z</a10:updated>
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    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10388</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/software-update-required-for-horizon-bank-app/</link>
      <title>Software Update Required for Horizon Bank App</title>
      <description>&lt;h3&gt;Having trouble accessing the app or website? Check for a software update.&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Some members using mobile devices with older operating systems may see an error message like:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Error – We're sorry, there appears to be a problem.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;This is due to a recent security certificate update. While our certificates remain valid and secure, certain older devices are no longer able to recognise this update, which may prevent access to our app or website.&lt;br /&gt;Devices affected include:&lt;br /&gt;• Android versions 10 to 13&lt;br /&gt;• Apple iOS version 15 and earlier&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;How to fix the issue:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In most cases, updating your device’s operating system to the latest version and restarting your device will resolve the problem.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For &lt;em&gt;Android&lt;/em&gt; devices:&lt;br /&gt;1. Open Settings.&lt;br /&gt;2. Tap Software Update or System Update (this may vary depending on your phone model).&lt;br /&gt;3. Select Check for Updates.&lt;br /&gt;4. If an update is available, follow the steps to install.&lt;br /&gt;5. After updating, restart your device.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For&lt;em&gt; iPhones&lt;/em&gt;:&lt;br /&gt;1. Open Settings.&lt;br /&gt;2. Tap General.&lt;br /&gt;3. Select Software Update.&lt;br /&gt;4. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.&lt;br /&gt;5. Once complete, restart your device.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’re sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you still experience issues after updating, please &lt;a href="/talk-to-us/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;contact us&lt;/a&gt; for further assistance.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2025 01:03:18 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-06-02T01:03:18Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">10387</guid>
      <link>https://horizonbank.com.au/announcements/news/introducing-our-first-home-buyer-loan/</link>
      <category>Loans</category>
      <title>Introducing Our First Home Buyer Loan</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;We understand that buying your first home is a significant milestone, often referred to as "the great Australian dream." We’re excited to announce the launch of our First Home Buyer Loan, designed specifically to support our young members in making this dream a reality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our new First Home Buyer Loan offers a competitive interest rate, making it more affordable for first-time buyers to enter the property market. In addition to this attractive rate, we’ve waived establishment fees, and there are no monthly or annual fees associated with the loan. This means more savings for the borrower as they embark on their homeownership journey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our dedicated lending team are here to assist every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you know someone who’s ready for home ownership, please send them our way. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and are committed to helping our members’ dreams come true.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 00:36:41 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-05-28T00:36:41Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
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