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Our history
St.George Milestones
2009
In 2009 St.George continued its proud history of helping Australians own their own home, with more than 100,000 Australians taking out a mortgage or refinancing with St.George.
To support St.George’s strategy of providing more responsive, tailored and personalised service to its customers and the communities it serves, the Bank implemented a new geographically based management structure, with dedicated Managing Directors appointed to run St.George’s operations in each State.
St.George again received significant industry recognition and awards throughout the year including the AFR Smart Investor “Bank of the Year”, Money Magazine’s “Home Lender of the Year” and the World’s Best Customer Contact Centre. Canstar Cannex also rated St.George as having the widest range of home loans.
The Bank continued to invest in the community with new sponsorships including the St.George Melbourne Marathon and the St Kilda Football Club, which will expand to a new three-year partnership with the Bank becoming the Saints’ financial services sponsor commencing season 2010. St.George Bank also became the major sponsor of the St.George District Cricket Club in Sydney.
2008
2008 was a very significant year for St.George. In May, the St.George Group entered into merger discussions with Westpac. After a regulatory approval and Due Diligence process, shareholders overwhelmingly approved the merger in November.
On Monday 1 December 2008 St.George became a part of the Westpac Group, contributing almost 30% of the merged entity and creating Australia's leading financial services organisation with a 'AA' credit rating.
As a combined Group, both organisations became even stronger, working as one for their customers. Greg Bartlett was appointed St.George Chief Executive as the Group commenced a significant new phase as part of the merged Westpac Group.
2007
The St.George Group further expands into both Queensland and Western Australia, opening over 11 additional branches.
Cementing our position as Australia's fifth largest lender, St.George achieved a balance of $70 billion in home lending, now helping more than 400,000 Australians own their own home.
St.George achieved record results in the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction survey, reflecting the Group's focus on delivering the best service to our customers each time, every time.
2006
The St.George Group reached two major milestones in 2006. We achieved an after tax result of over $1 billion for the first time in history and exceeded $100 billion in assets compared to $52 billion in 2001.
These achievements are the result of substantial investment in our business, a consistent organic growth strategy and the dedication of St.George's people.
St.George continues to grow having increased our staff numbers by more than 1,000 in the last 5 years.
2005
St.George made a donation of $250,000 to be shared equally between AUSTCARE and the Australian Red Cross towards the Tsunami relief effort. St.George also assisted the Australian Red Cross and AUSTCARE by accepting donations through any St.George branch or via Internet Banking.
St.George Margin Lending was again awarded a Five Star rating by independent research group CANNEX. St.George Margin Lending is awarded this enviable Five Star rating on six consecutive occasions since 2002.
2004
St.George is the first bank to launch SMS Alerts, providing customers with the ability to use their mobile phones to monitor their bank and credit card accounts.
2003
The St.George Group now employs more than 7,400 people, with over 400 branches across Australia.
St.George announces record financial results, with an increase in profit of 20% over the previous year.
2002
On 1 July 2002, St.George celebrated ten years of full banking status.
St.George Bank announced the joint venture with Foodstuffs, New Zealand's largest supermarket retailer to establish Superbank.
2001
Following the sudden death of Ed O'Neal in September, Gail Kelly is appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
St.George Bank acquired Deutsche Bank's Australian margin lending business, offering customers a simple, flexible and smart way to build their wealth.
2000
St.George acquired the Scottish Pacific Business Finance Group, a provider of cashflow solutions to Australian small and medium enterprises.
Following the trend towards electronic banking, St.George launched a new distribution channel - dragondirect.
1999
St.George acquired KPMG Financial Services.
1998
Ed O'Neal was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
St.George purchased SEALCORP, a leader in the provision of personal savings and investment products.
1995-1997
St.George launched Business Banking with a competitive range of borrowing facilities and a business cheque account.
BankSA merged with Advance Bank. In 1997, St.George merged with Advance and became the fifth largest bank in Australia in terms of total assets.
1994
St.George expanded its services to commercial customers when it acquired the Commercial Banking division of Barclays, making St.George a full service bank.
Leading the market, St.George launched online electronic banking to business customers, accessible through personal computers and new software.
1992
St.George achieved full banking status and acquired its banking licence.
1990
Jim Sweeny appointed Chief Executive Officer
1989
The St.George Foundation was established as a registered charity with a commitment to enhance the quality of life for Australia's children by providing financial support and leadership.
1985
St.George's first EFTPOS machines were installed.
1979
St.George assets hit $1 billion and made it the largest building society in Australia with 130 branches and 800 staff.
1972
St.George was the first building society to go online.
1970
Happy Dragon made his first appearance. Since then, he's made thousands of appearances at children's homes, hospitals, schools, and of course, St.George events.
1945
The merger between St.George and the Cronulla district Co-operative Building Societies sees the building society grow to 38 branches.
1937
The St.George's Co-operative Building Society opened.
1848
St.George's early origins trace back to South Australia where the two banks which later merged to form BankSA, opened their doors for business.
