Cheap Credit Cards from St.George Bank

Part of the Westpac group, St.George Bank is one of Australia’s most important financial institutions. The Bank offers a selection of credit cards offering a mixture of rates, fees, balance transfers and rewards. The St.George Vertigo MasterCard won Money Magazine’s Award for Cheapest Credit card in 2007 and 2008, and the bank has consistently offered low interest rates on its credit cards. Check out the deals featured on our comparison table and you may find a credit card that could save you plenty of money.

A Brief History of St.George Bank

The St.George Co-operative Building Society was established at a meeting Hurstville, a suburb in south Sydney in 1937, with the election of the first Chairman of the Board, George Cross. The society grew over the years and rapidly expanded during the post-war housing boom in the 1950s. In 1955, the Society became a Permanent Building Society, aiming to provide funds for members to buy houses.

In 1970, the society adopted the familiar dragon logo. In 1972, St.George became the first Australian building society to go online when it installed an IBM computer network. It was awarded full banking status in 1992 and in the same year the acquired BankSA.

In 2008, St.George Bank shareholders approved a merger with Westpac Banking Corporation, making it a key component of one of Australia’s most important financial institutions.

St.George Today

Today the bank serves a total of 2.6 million customers in the consumer, business and corporate sectors, operating through a network of 396 St.George and BankSA branches and 2,800 ATMs across the country. The bank also serves its customers through third party distributors, and with its own call centres and internet banking services.

Business Banking Services

The bank provides a comprehensive range of services and products for business and corporate customers with 28 dedicated business banking centres and online and telephone services. Businesses can benefit from expert advice on cash flow and trade finance, to equipment and property finance among other services. Business bank account services include transactions, savings, credit cards, lending and finance, payment solutions, insurance and agribusiness.

Personal Banking Services

St.George’s personal banking products cover a wide range of everyday and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, home loans, insurance and investments. Customers can also get advice with specific requirements – students, first-time homebuyers and people saving for bigger purchases, for example.

All customers can access their accounts through a range of online services, which include online, mobile and telephone banking. St.George constantly updates and improves its systems and security measures to maximise customers’ online privacy and security.

St.George Credit Cards

A selection of credit cards are available from St.George, each designed to suit different types of customer. The St.George Vertigo MasterCard offers one of the lowest variable interest rates available in Australia and also features the option for balance transfers with a low introductory interest rate (the rate returns to the purchase rate when the introductory period expires). Customers pay a low annual fee for St.George Vertigo MasterCard and can enjoy 55 interest-free days on purchases when the closing balance of the statement is paid in full. This is a great choice of credit card for Australians who want a no-frills card with one of the lowest purchase interest rates around.

For people looking for extra features, the Platinum Visa credit card could be good choice. The card offers a low annual fee, a range of complimentary travel and purchase insurance covers, and the option for a low interest balance transfer.

The St.George Amplify credit card provides access to a choice of two attractive rewards schemes: Amplify Rewards or Amplify Qantas Rewards. It also has the option for a low rate balance transfer and a low annual fee.

Q: What are the benefits of transferring other balances to St.George? A: You can save money when you transfer a balance from a non-St.George credit card or debt to a new St.George credit card and enjoy lower interest rates for the introductory period. St. George Vertigo MasterCard offers a rate, giving you time to repay your debts whilst paying less interest. You should be aware that the rate returns to the standard purchase rate when the introductory period ends.

Q: Can I transfer a balance if I currently have a St.George credit card? A: Yes, if you have an existing St.George credit card you can transfer a balance from a third party to your credit card.

Q: Can I transfer balances between St.George credit cards? A: No. If you have more than one St.George credit card you can make payments between cards using standard repayment methods, but a balance transfer is a different type of transaction and can only be made from non-St.George credit cards and debts.

Q: Do I have to pay a fee for a balance transfer? A: No, St.George balance transfers are free to make, and you pay a low interest rate for the introductory period.