CEO Terry Millett said the award sent a message to all Australians that still have a home loan with major banks and those considering taking out a new home loan.

“Home owners need to say “enough is enough” to the major banks – it’s undeniable that Newcastle Permanent is the best home lender in the country and recognition in Money

Magazine’s Consumer Finance Awards makes this clear,” Mr Millett said.

“Consumers may be seeing interest rate cuts and assuming that they’re getting a better deal as a result. The fact is that since 2008 we’ve passed on more value to customers in interest rate cuts than any of the major banks.

“As Australia’s largest building society, in our 110th anniversary year we’re going from strength to strength as we make banking history by taking this award away from the major banks. It’s yet another mark of our consistent excellence in delivering first class retail banking experiences for our members.

“We now have the trifecta of endorsements for home lending – Money magazine, the Financial Review’s Smart Investor, and more CANSTAR five star ratings for home loan products than any other lender in the country.

“Newcastle Permanent is a genuine, competitive alternative to major banks because we have the financial strength, highly competitive products and constant focus on delivering a market leading members’ experience that major banks sacrifice for the sake of ever increasing profits for their shareholders.

“And we make sure we always give our members a great deal – not just when they go to leave us – which is why our members gave us a 97% customer satisfaction score.

“Members choose to bank with us because we reinvest back into our local communities, making lives better while they still enjoy our industry leading products and services,” Mr Millett said.

Newcastle Permanent was also named Money magazine’s Building Society of the Year for the fourth time.

Newcastle Permanent operates almost 60 branches in NSW, and will launch in the Central West region later this year. Our staff of over 900 supports our 325,000 members which are located in all states of Australia.

About the Money magazine Consumer Finance Awards:

Over 16,000 financial products from more than 200 financial institutions are closely examined for Money’s annual Consumer Finance Awards. The awards are judged in collaboration with Money’s editorial team & the independent research company CANSTAR.

The awards were announced at a lunch in Sydney on Tuesday, 4 June 2013.

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www.newcastlepermanent.com.au

Media enquiries: Ashleigh Killingly, 0427 567 846