Governance structure

Uniting Financial Services operates within a management and governance framework using a best practices approach similar to that of commercially run organisations, while retaining an explicit adherence to the ethical investment principles established by The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT.

Uniting Financial Services, through The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited (“Trust Association’), adheres to a Corporate Governance Charter. Simply described, it is the system, processes and relationships by which its business is conducted, directed and controlled.

The Charter is a living document and is divided into four sections; namely

Defining Governance roles within the Board and executive;
Improving Board processes through evaluation;
Outlining key Board functions; and
Continuing improvement.

The Charter document needs to be read in conjunction with the Constitution of Association and should serve as a guideline for the decision making systems of the Trust Association.

Uniting Financial Services is a separately incorporated company limited by guarantee, with its management team and board of Directors also separate to those of the Synod. This enables us to deliver to the Synod a professionally run Treasury with investment and financial decisions aggregated within one entity, allowing the Synod to focus on the delivery of its mission.

Uniting Financial Services Governance structure includes:

Board of Directors – ten experienced, banking, finance and business professionals, including Uniting Church members;
25 Members – providing oversight of Board and management;
Subcommittees of the Board including Audit; Risk; Finance Services; Investment Management; and Governance, Remuneration and Nominations – providing detailed review and oversight for key business areas.

Financial services are provided by The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited ACN 000 022 480, ABN 89 725 654 978, AFSL 292186 and by The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) ABN 77 005 284 605 pursuant to a s.911A Corporations Act 2001 (Cth.) authorisation and APRA Banking Exemption No. 1 of 2006 (“Uniting Financial Services”), for The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT pursuant to ASIC Regulatory Guide 87 exemptions. Uniting Financial Services® is a registered trademark of The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited and is used with permission by The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW).

Neither The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT nor Uniting Financial Services is prudentially supervised by APRA. An investment with or contributions will not benefit from the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959. All financial services and products are designed for investors who wish to promote religious and charitable purposes and for whom profit considerations are not of primary importance in their decision to invest.