Our Role

The Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) is the industry association for Australia’s customer-owned banking institutions – mutual banks, credit unions and building societies.

Customer owned banks account for around two thirds of the total number of domestic Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs) and deliver competition, choice and market-leading levels of customer satisfaction in the retail banking market. More than 5 million Australians choose to bank with a customer owned bank.


Our vision is for more Australians to benefit from a resilient banking sector that is centered on people and communities.


On behalf of our members, COBA champions the customer owned banking model and advocates for a more competitive retail banking sector that benefits all Australians. COBA also provides our members with expert advisory and support services, including a dedicated Fraud and Financial Crimes team.

For more than 150 years, customer owned banks have put customers first, providing trusted banking services and serving local communities. COBA is proud to play our role in supporting our members to continue this valuable mission.

Hear it first

Four times a year we’ll send you helpful banking tips and inspiring stories from our members.