Office address: 28-38 Powell Street, Homebush NSW 2140
Website: unibank.com.au
Year established: 1964
Company type: mutual banking
Employees: 570+ (group-wide)
Expertise: banking, home loans, ethical finance, digital banking, member services, university sector support, community investment, financial education, customer-owned banking
Parent company: Teachers Mutual Bank Limited (TMBL)
Key people: Anthony Hughes (CEO), Nichole Banks (chief sales and marketing officer), James Walker (chief risk officer), Greg Johnson (chief customer officer), Erica Pickford (COO), Michael Bencsik (CFO), Dan Chesterman (chief information officer)
Financing status: corporate backed or acquired
UniBank is a member-owned bank based in Australia, dedicated to the university sector and higher education community. As part of TMBL, it serves university staff, students, graduates and their families with tailored financial services. It also supports members nationwide through digital banking and specialist support teams.
UniBank began in 1964, founded within the Chemistry Department at the University of Western Australia. It started as The University Staff Credit Society Limited, created to offer financial services to university staff, students and their families. The founders wanted to give the university community better financial choices and support their long-term wellbeing.
In 2015, UniBank was formed after a merger between The University Credit Society Limited (Unicredit) and Teachers Mutual Bank Limited. This decision followed a thorough review of Unicredit’s future and a strong vote from members in favour of joining with a like-minded partner. The merger aimed to secure a stable future and bring more value to members.
From August 2015, UniBank became a division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited while keeping its unique identity. The bank continues to focus on personal service and a wide range of financial options for the university sector. As part of a larger mutual, the bank can offer better products, lower costs and more benefits to its members.
UniBank offers a range of home loan options designed for university staff, students and graduates, with a focus on member benefits and flexibility:
UniBank also supports eligible buyers through the Home Guarantee Scheme, helping members purchase a home with a low deposit. This scheme allows qualified buyers to avoid lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), making home ownership more accessible.
UniBank’s culture is based on education and personal development. Staff are encouraged to keep learning and to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The team also stays true to its purpose by holding strong beliefs that shape how members and the wider community are treated.
These values guide every interaction and decision at UniBank, no matter how much the brand evolves. The bank’s core values are reflected in its daily actions:
The bank builds social responsibility into every part of its business which supports essential workers in education, healthcare and emergency services. The bank’s commitment to positive change is seen in these milestones and practices:
UniBank invests 6.8% of its profits to support members and the higher education sector, far above big banks. The bank funds programs like Tackling Poverty, Australian Catholic University and the Universities Australia Higher Education Conference. Supporting social development and new ideas is central to their purpose.
Anthony Hughes became CEO of TMBL in 2023 and therefore leads UniBank, along with the other divisions. Before this, he held senior roles at some of Australia’s largest banks. Hughes brings over 25 years of experience in financial services and leading major business transformations.
UniBank’s leadership team who help shape the bank’s direction is made up of these individuals:
This team is committed to supporting essential workers and strengthening the communities they serve. Their leadership ensures the bank remains focused on positive impact and member value.
In 2024, UniBank began introducing NameCheck anti-scam technology to its members through its parent TMBL. This initiative brings advanced payment protection to its clients. It will help reduce scams and mistaken payments now and into the future. The bank aims to keep members safe and use new ways to protect their money.
It also introduced a financial relief package in 2025 to help members in New South Wales affected by floods. The support includes repayment pauses, fee waivers and access to funds, which make it easier for members to recover. The bank is building a future where members can rely on real help by offering fast relief and flexible support.
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