bankmecu's 2010/11 Annual Report assurance was undertaken in accordance with the AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS (2008)). Assurance to this standard provides a comprehensive way of ensuring an organisation is responsible for its management, performance and reporting on sustainability issues. This is achieved through the evaluation of the organisation's adherence to the AA1000 AccountAbility Principles (2008) and by reviewing the accuracy and quality of disclosed sustainability performance information.

Assurance Standard, Scope and Type

AA1000AS (2008) and its Principles of Inclusivity, Materiality and Responsiveness were used to provide Type 2 assurance.

The review of accuracy and quality of sustainability performance information was undertaken using bankmecu's internal protocols and the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) G3 principles of quality.

Assurance level and limitations

A moderate level of assurance was provided over the Report and a high level of assurance was provided over greenhouse gas emissions. This level of assurance is defined by the scope and methodology described in this assurance statement. The assurance covered the whole Report with some exceptions that are detailed in the assurance statement.