ANZ Credit Cards

Why to Switch to an ANZ Credit Card?

ANZ has a long and prestigious history and is considered to be in the top 50 banks in the world. The bank was founded in 1835 and was first known as the Bank of Australasia. Today the bank is one of the largest financial institutions in Australia and New Zealand. ANZ Bank offers a range of credit cards to suit different types of customer – use our comparison table to check out all the deals and find the card that’s right for you.

ANZ Bank History

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group has an impressive history stretching back over 170 years and involving the mergers of dozens of different banks. ANZ started life in London in 1835 as The Bank of Australasia when it was created under a Royal Charter, opening a branch in Sydney in the same year. In 1838 the bank opened a branch in Melbourne, the city where its headquarters are located today. In 1837 the Union Bank Australia was established as an Anglo-Australian financial institution. Another Anglo-Australian bank, The English, Scottish and Australian Bank (ES&A), was created in 1852.

The Bank of Australasia merged with the Union Bank of Australia in 1951 to create ANZ Bank, and extended operations around the world. In 1970, ANZ merged with ES&A to form the current organisation, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited. At the time this was the biggest merger in Australian banking history, resulting in one of the country’s most important financial institutions. ANZ continued to expand in the next decades, merging several smaller banks to strengthen its position including Bank of Adelaide in 1979, Grindlays Bank in 1984 and PostBank purchased from New Zealand Government 1989. In 2003 ANZ acquired the National Bank of New Zealand.

In 2009 ANZ officially gained full ownership of ING Australia, making the group one of the biggest insurance companies in the country. In 2010 ANZ took over Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) interests in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia. Today ANZ is the fourth largest bank in Australia and the largest bank in New Zealand. With headquarters in Melbourne, offices across Australia and New Zealand, it is also one of the leading Australian banks in the Asia-Pacific region and operates in a 25 nations around the world.

ANZ’s Branch Network

ANZ has branches across Australia, offering accessible banking to all its customers. At each branch an ANZ Personal Banker is available offering a complimentary advisory service called A-Z Review, helping to tailor personal banking services to meet specific customer requirements. Other specialists available at ANZ branches include Financial Planners, Home and Investment Lending Managers, Small Business Specialists and Retirement Banking Specialists. Customers can call their local branch to arrange an appointment with ANZ specialists, or simply drop into a branch during opening hours.

ANZ Online Banking

ANZ offers customers the convenience of online services, with safe and secure ANZ Internet Banking. The services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and include account access, bill payments with BPAY, transfers, statements, foreign exchange, direct debits, cheque orders and customer support.

ANZ uses the latest security technology to protect customers’ data and finances, and also offers a range of advice to customers regarding online protection. If you do become the victim of internet fraud, ANZ guarantees that you will be reimbursed for any unauthorised transactions.

To sign up for ANZ Internet Banking you need to contact the bank with your Customer Registration Number and Telecode. Once registered you can link ANZ accounts to ANZ Internet Banking including everyday and savings accounts, loans and credit cards.

ANZ Phone Banking

ANZ Phone Banking offers customers banking services anytime of the day or night. Once you have registered using your Customer Registration Number and Telecode you have access to your accounts 24/7 using a touch-tone phone. Following voice prompts you can check balances and transfers, transfer money to linked accounts, pay bills using BPAY, change your address details and order statements and new chequebooks.

ANZ Mobile

ANZ has developed mobile banking so customers can use mobile devices to access accounts on the go. ANZ offers three mobile options: ANZ iPhone app, which available for free from the Apple App Store; ANZ Android app available from the Android Marketplace; and simple and easy text-based banking for all mobiles, with which customers can check balances, view mini statements and receive account alerts.

ANZ Credit Cards

There are numerous different ANZ-branded credit cards available to their customers, both personal and business credit cards. Their ANZ Balance Visa features a rate on balance transfers for the first 12 months, making it a very smart decision if you are considering switching a balance from a higher interest card. There are also ANZ low annual fee cards and some even have the option to design the card with the pictures of your choice.

If you are a frequent traveller, the ANZ Gold and Platinum cards offer many benefits, including overseas travel and medical insurance, as well as 55 interest-free days on your purchases. They also offer rewards cards that provide you with frequent flyer points with Qantas and a debit card that can be used in conjunction with your checking account. ATMs throughout the world accept ANZ credit cards, which means you can get a cash advance on your balance practically anywhere in the world, anytime that you need it. The ANZ Business One credit card is very popular with small businesses, since it offers a very low interest rate and features to help you manage your monthly expenditures.

Each ANZ credit card offers a mixture of different features including low annual fees, low balance transfer rates, low interest rates, interest-free periods, frequent flyer points, overseas travel and medical insurance, cashback, shopping vouchers and rewards. Take the time to compare all the deals available on our comparison table to find the card that best suits your lifestyle, financial circumstances and money plans.

ANZ Reward Schemes

ANZ offers customers an attractive selection of loyalty rewards schemes with a choice of ANZ Frequent Flyer reward program, ANZ Balance Visa rewards, ANZ Rewards and Sphere Rewards.

ANZ Frequent Flyer Rewards allows you to accumulate points on everyday purchases, and these points are automatically credited to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account. More points are gained by shopping with ANZ’s Bonus Partners. Your frequent flyer points can be redeemed for flights, travel and store rewards, vouchers, entertainment, special offers and much more.

ANZ Balance Visa generates rewards on every dollar you repay to your balance, including monthly repayments, interest and fees, and on balance transfers. You also earn points on cash advances, purchases and travellers cheques. This is a great scheme if you want to earn rewards on everyday credit card use, and unlike other cards there is no points capping with ANZ Balance Visa – so the more you repay, the more rewards you gain. Balance Visa Reward Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards including cashback, retail vouchers and gift cards.

ANZ Rewards program is a flexible rewards scheme that offers a variety of ways to earn points, and many opportunities to generate bonus points by shopping with ANZ’s Bonus Partners. Cardholders earn points on everyday purchases (excluding cash equivalent transactions), and then redeem these points for a huge choice of rewards including retail vouchers, gift cards, merchandise, travel, entertainment and a great deal more.

Lastly, the Sphere Rewards program is designed specifically for existing ANZ First Visa and ANZ Platinum. Points are earned on purchases, and never expire as long as you continue to be Sphere member, and can then be redeemed for a selection of vouchers, gift cards and retail products. Points can also be redeemed to pay for you annual fee, which can be a useful way to help cover the cost of using your card.

Q: Which card is best for me? A: That very much depends on how you want to use your card and your financial circumstances. If you want to enjoy low interest rates or you’re looking to make a balance transfer from another credit card, the ANZ Low Rate MasterCard could be a good choice for you. The card offers a low balance transfer rate, giving you time to improve the health of your credit.

If you have an above average income, are comfortable paying higher rates and fees, keep up repayments, and want to enjoy the benefits of generous rewards schemes, one of ANZ’s rewards cards could be an attractive deal for you. Compare the different schemes available to find the rewards that best suit your lifestyle and spending habits.

If you are on a lower income, or you are applying for your first credit card, ANZ First Visa card could be a good choice. The card has no annual fee and the option of a six-month balance transfer period.

Q: What is ANZ designmycard? A: This service allows you to personalise any ANZ First, ANZ Low Rate MasterCard and ANZ Balance Visa card with an image of your choice. When you apply for the card you may upload any photo, design or logo, or select an image from ANZ’s online library, and this will used to decorate your new credit card.