In this issue of Member Matters:

Our latest member newsletter is here, and includes:

  • A message from Director Wayne Gatt
  • A round-up of our recent support for the BankVic community
  • Government support for home ownership
  • The importance of not sharing screenshots with strangers
  • Our latest podcast with Crime Stoppers Victoria, on the dark side of social media
  • The BankVic Peer Support Dog Program. 

Serving as a Director of BankVic is a tremendous honour. I felt truly privileged to join the Board late last year, and as Directors, we acknowledge the trust members place in us as stewards of their bank. Together, we are committed to working in the best interests of members with ambition, responsibility and longevity in mind.

Since our establishment by police officers in 1974, BankVic has maintained a long and proud history of being member-owned and supporting police, emergency services members and the broader first responder community. It’s not just where we’re from, it’s who we are, why we’re here, and who we serve.

In my career as a police officer and as CEO of The Police Association Victoria, I see first-hand the importance of having a financial institution that understands our members’ needs and the unique demands of the work they do.

This is more important than ever. There is much change within police forces around the country, and that change is felt most significantly by the individual officer themselves. It might mean upskilling, moving, or for some, a new vocation completely. The impact of this is dependent on the situation of the individuals and their households, and is why setting and working towards clear financial goals is so important.

BankVic is now delivering more financial wellbeing resources and workshops than ever before. With an expanding range of tools and information, and seminars that step through a range of topics and key details, our financial wellbeing program empowers members to be more informed and have greater control over their financial future. TPAV recently hosted BankVic and ESS Super for a financial wellbeing expo, which was very well-received by our members and something we will continue to expand.

We are also pleased to share that BankVic has been approved as a participating lender in the federal government’s 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers, as well as the 2% deposit for single parents. This enables more of our members to be able to purchase their first home, a milestone event and important piece of their position later in life, too.

Whatever stage of life you’re at – buying a home, planning for retirement, managing change or simply looking to improve your financial wellbeing – BankVic is here to help. I encourage you to reach out to the team and make the most of the support available to you.

Government support making home ownership more achievable

Buying your first home can feel like a big step – especially when saving a deposit and covering upfront costs seems out of reach. The good news is there are government supports designed to help first home buyers get into the market sooner, with less money upfront.

Here’s how key supports work, and how they can potentially be used together when buying a home.

The Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme: buying with a smaller deposit

One of the biggest hurdles for first home buyers is the deposit. Traditionally, lenders require a deposit of 20% of the purchase price, or if your deposit is lower, you may be required to purchase Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) on top of your loan.

The Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme (previously referred to as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme) helps eligible first home buyers purchase a home with as little as a 5% deposit. This support also allows eligible buyers to avoid paying LMI.

How it works

Instead of providing a full 20% deposit, the government can potentially guarantee up to 15% of the purchase price.

This means:

  • First home buyers may only need a 5% deposit
  • The lender treats the loan as though a 20% deposit has been provided
  • You can avoid the cost of LMI.

Importantly, this is not a cash payment. The government doesn’t give you money, the guarantee simply reduces the need for a larger deposit.

The takeaway

The government schemes mentioned – such as the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), and state-based stamp duty concessions – can make a big difference to how soon you can buy.

  • The Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme lets you buy with a smaller deposit
  • Stamp duty savings or exemptions can reduce upfront costs
  • The FHOG gives funds (for example $10,000 in Victoria) if you’re buying a brand-new home or building a new property.

With the right guidance, these supports or schemes can move home ownership from ‘someday’ to sooner than you might think.

Below is a list of state revenue office links for different states that might help:

BankVic may help you understand how the above state supports or schemes interact with federal schemes like the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme.

Ready to take the next step?

Reach out to our BankVic Home Loan Mentors to help you find out what type of home loan is right for you.

  

 

Why you should never share a screenshot with a stranger

It feels harmless in the moment. Someone asks for a quick screenshot to “prove” something, confirm a payment, or help fix a problem.

Capture and send. Done in seconds.

But did you know that a single screenshot is exactly what a scammer is after?

The small request that opens the door

Scammers rarely begin with obvious demands. Instead, they make requests that feel normal, helpful, or low risk:

  • “Send a screenshot of the payment so I can confirm it.”
  • “Show me the error message you’re getting.”
  • “Screenshot your account page so I can help you fix it.”
  • “Send proof you received the code.”

Each message sounds practical, reasonable, even polite. But screenshots often contain far more information than you realise.

What a screenshot can really reveal

A single image can expose: 

  • Email addresses or phone numbers
  • Account usernames
  • Partial credit card or banking details
  • Transaction ID
  • QR codes
  • Security or verification codes
  • Private messages and contacts
  • Location or time data.

To a scammer, this is not just an image… it is a collection of clues that can be used to impersonate you or reset accounts. Once you send an image, you can never get it back.

Red flags to watch for

Be cautious if someone:

  • Urgently asks for a screenshot
  • Claims they cannot proceed without “proof”
  • Moves the conversation off an official app or website
  • Pressures you to act quickly
  • Requests screenshots of codes, payments, or account pages
  • Asks for a payment screen shot and not an official transaction receipt.

Legitimate companies will not ask for this.

How to protect yourself

Simple habits can stop this scam early:

  • Never share screenshots of verification codes, banking details, or account pages
  • Use official apps or websites instead of links in messages
  • Contact the company directly if you are unsure
  • Pause when a request feels rushed or unnecessary
  • Crop or remove sensitive details if an image must be shared.

If someone insists on a screenshot that exposes private information, treat it as a warning sign

If you are questioning any information you have sent, make sure you act quickly:

  • Change affected passwords immediately
  • Enable two-factor authentication
  • Contact your bank or service provider
  • Monitor accounts for unusual activity
  • Report the scam to the relevant authority.

Fast action can limit the damage. So the next time someone asks for “just a quick screenshot,” pause and ask a simple question: Why do they really need it? 

One moment of hesitation could stop a scam before it starts.

This article was brought to you by Crime Stoppers Victoria in partnership with BankVic.

Visit bankvic.com.au/banksafe for more resources and information about keeping yourself safe online.   

 

What really happens on your social media feeds

What looks trustworthy and real online can quickly turn into something else entirely.

A message from a stranger. A giveaway that looks too good to miss. A buyer on Marketplace who seems genuine.

‘The Dark Side of Social Media’ is the newest podcast produced through our partnership with Crime Stoppers Victoria.

The five-part series exposes how the platforms we use every day are being exploited for scams, grooming, and abuse, often in ways most people don’t see coming. 

Featuring real victim experiences’, expert voices, and clear, practical takeaways, ‘The Dark Side of Social Media’ goes beyond awareness, showing you what to look for, when to act, and how to protect yourself and those around you. 

If you use social media, or someone you care about does, this is a series you can’t miss.

Listen now on all podcast platforms.

Community matters

As a member-owned bank, we enjoy being able to support you and your colleagues in the ways we do.

We have recently been able to:

  • Present a range of financial wellbeing seminars in workplaces, including police, legatees, and hospital staff
  • Support a number of workplace recognition and excellence awards
  • Recognise the care and dedication of nurses and midwives
  • Help raise awareness and funds for hospitals
  • Sponsor and participate in the annual Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk
  • Visit police stations, hospitals, and fire stations to help members with their banking.

Being your bank and supporting you in these and other ways means a great deal to us, and we thank you and our partners for the collaborative way we work together for the BankVic community.

A visit from the BankVic Peer Support Dogs

In June we welcomed the BankVic Peer Support Dog Program to the BankVic office, and enjoyed meeting the people and good boys and girls behind this wonderful program.

Acting Inspector Signe Flowers, Senior Constable Laura Robinson, and Leading Senior Constable Tanya Perry
shared with us the impact of the work they do, and which we are proud to be the major partner. The team was joined by adorable golden retrievers Nugget and Willow, and were excited to meet and tell them what good dogs they are.

Our partnership with the Peer Support Dog Program began in September 2024, supporting a pilot initiative
with six Peer Support Officers and their dogs providing workplace visits, one-on-one welfare support, and mental health referrals across Victoria Police.

The teams went above and beyond, seeking out every opportunity to support employees and workplaces in times of need. Feedback and the impact of the program across Victoria Police was overwhelmingly positive, so on completion of the pilot, we were very keen to continue supporting the program further, with the addition of more peers and dogs.

We admire the incredible work that Signe, Laura, Tanya and all the handlers and furry friends from the BankVic Peer Support Dog Program do to provide support to their Victoria Police peers, and look forward to their success for many years to come.

    

Read the full edition

Download the full edition of Member Matters here.