Common banking terms

We like to make it as easy as possible for you to do your banking. That’s why we’ve put together an explanation of some key banking terms – in everyday language that’s easy to understand.

If you need help, please call us on 13 33 30 or visit any St.George branch.

Approved Overdraft facility

An approved overdraft facility is a facility that allows you to draw credit up to an approved credit limit on your account.

ATM Mini Transaction history

A mini transaction history is a list of the last 10 transactions, which can be printed from any eligible St.George, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATM, or the last 8 transactions from a BankSA Electronic Agency. Please refer to your Fees and Charges booklet for more information. 

Bank@Post^TM

Bank@Post^TM is an agency banking service offered at over 3,100 online Australia Post outlets. It allows you to use your credit or debit cards at the post office to undertake a variety of financial transactions including deposits and withdrawals, account balance enquiries and payments for credit card bills.

BSB

BSB is an acronym for Bank State Branch number. This six-digit number represents your bank and the branch where your account is held. You will need this number when setting up automatic payments such as periodical payments or direct debits between St.George and another party. You can find the BSB on the top right hand side of your account statement or in the "Account Information" section, next to the Account Number listing when you log onto Internet Banking. If you have a chequebook with your account, your account BSB is also printed on each cheque, in between the cheque number and the account number.

Deeming rates

The Federal Government sets the deeming rates based on assumed rates of return on financial investments.

Direct Debit

A direct debit is a transfer of funds from your St.George account drawn under a direct debit request you have given a third party.

Email Alerts and SMS Alerts

Account information that is provided to you via Email or SMS to your mobile phone. Once you register for this service, you can request specific information such as account balances, deposits or withdrawals. Learn more about SMS and Email Alerts.

Internet Banking

Internet Banking is an electronic means of accessing your account information and conducting your banking online. You can access transaction information as well as transfer funds and pay bills using St.George Internet Banking.

Mobile Banking

Mobile Banking allows you to bank from your mobile phone. Please note that mobile banking is only supported on certain brands of mobile phone with appropriate display technology. Learn more about Mobile Banking.

Maestro and Cirrus

Maestro and Cirrus are international networks of EFTPOS terminals and ATMs. Generally, St.George Maestro/Cirrus ATM cardholders have access to these networks when overseas. Just look for the Mastercard^® Cirrus or Visa Plus logos on ATMs

Non-St.George ATMs

Any ATM that is not St.George, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA branded

Interest Offset facility

An Interest Offset Facility is an arrangement with the Bank that allows you to offset the interest you would earn on your transaction account against interest you pay on your loan account. Learn more about Interest Offset.

Other bank ATMs

This refers to non- St.George ATMs.

Periodical Payment

Periodical Payment is a transfer of funds that we make on a regular basis at your request from your St.George account to another specific account.

Phone Banking

A telephone banking service that allows you to perform transactions and access information about your account using any touchtone telephone. Learn more about Phone Banking.

St.George branded ATMs

An ATM that is St.George, Bank of Melbourne, or BankSA branded.

Visa Debit Card

A debit card that displays the VISA logo and lets you access your account through the global VISA network. Learn more about Visa Debit.

Visa Plus

Visa Plus is an international network of ATMs. Generally, St.George FreedomCard ATM cardholders have access to ATMs overseas displaying the Plus logo.

Need more information?

A more comprehensive list of banking terms and definitions is included in your governing Terms & Conditions or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). If you need more information on these terms or any additional terms you've seen, please call 13 33 30, 8am - 8pm (EST), Monday to Saturday.