As a responsible financial services provider, bankmecu recognises there are economic, environmental and social impacts resulting from the activities supported through its products and services. bankmecu seeks to invest customer funds in products that benefit its customers and make a contribution towards a responsible and sustainable society. bankmecu has in place an Ethical Lending and Investment Policy to assist in this objective. It makes available products with specific beneficial environmental and social features.

In 2010/11, bankmecu continued to invest customers' money responsibly, with approximately 94% of all customer deposits lent to other customers. It has ensured its practices are consistent with the consumer protection changes for credit provision introduced by the Commonwealth Government during the year.

bankmecu continued to deliver competitive, fair and reasonable fees for transaction services, lending services and other credit services. A fee-free banking option is available for all customers. Banking services competition analyst Canstar Cannex assessed that transaction services were cheaper than the average of the 'big four' banks by $1.743m. For lending fees, the total customer benefit was assessed at $4.403m.

Lending with an environmental benefit, predominately personal loans and car loans, decreased over the past 12 months, in line with a general reduction in the wider marketplace, however, the decrease was at a much lower rate compared to the total personal and car loan portfolio.

Lending with a social benefit increased by 18.4% over the past 12 months, largely due to the Premium First Home Buyer Loan assisting first home buyers to buy homes and lending to develop the community sector, particularly affordable housing.