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Our Story

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Welcome to Laboratories Credit Union

Who are we?

We are a locally-owned and operated credit union (member-owned financial institution) at Riverside Corporate Park, North Ryde.

LCU was established in 1954 by CSIRO staff members in North Ryde. LCU started off with just 30 or so members and has grown over the years and now has over 3,000 members extending well beyond CSIRO staff and their families.

When you call LCU you will always speak to a person. No call centres or automated phone systems when you call LCU - giving our members not only great personal service but also a one call service outcome. Whether it is over the phone or in our branch our members seem to love the personal service and a lot of our business comes from their referrals.

What is a Credit Union?

A credit union is a member-owned financial institution. We offer all the same services as other financial institutions such as banks, but we’ve always been people before profit, democratically controlled, socially responsible, community-focused, and financially sustainable.

Why?

Because, at the end of the day, a credit union is people pooling their money to provide each other with affordable credit.

A credit union is, quite simply, people helping people.

We are Member Owned – Our members have a say!

Our members are shareholders of the Credit Union which means they own a share of the credit union and have a say in the decisions made within the Credit Union. They are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting and can also vote and choose the Board of Directors.

People before profits!

Unlike other financial institutions such as banks our profits go back to our members through competitive interest rates, fairer fees and by focusing on community investments in our local area.

We support students by awarding 10 Tertiary Scholarships and contribute to the CSIRO Alumni Scholarships in Physics every year. We support various charities such as CUFA, Cancer council, Canteen and Exodus Foundation. We also participate in and sponsor local schools and community events.

Same regulations and governing body as the big banks – So your money is safe with us!

Credit unions are regulated in exactly the same way as the big banks are under the Banking Act, Corporations Act and APRA oversight. Credit Unions have the same $250,000 deposit guarantee as the banks. So our Safety and Security are the same!

Who can join LCU?

Our membership now extends well beyond CSIRO staff and their families. We welcome membership from employees on Riverside Corporate Park, North Ryde, Macquarie Business Park employees, and their family and friends are also eligible to bank with us!

If you would like to become an LCU member please Apply Online or fill out an LCU membership application form and send it back to us with the required ID.

  Additional information

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us.

EnquireCall 02 9859 0585