Mozo awards confirm attraction of small and mid-tier banks

Small and mid-tier financial institutions, led by ING Direct, ME Bank and Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank, once again dominated the Mozo People's Choice Awards that were announced yesterday.

Comparison site Mozo bases its awards on customer ratings collected over the previous 12 months.

ING Direct was awarded best term deposits, best bank (transaction) account and best debit card. It was also rated best direct bank.

ME Bank was awarded best home loans and best credit cards.

Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank was awarded best bank, Community CPS was awarded best credit union and Hume Building Society was awarded best building society.

The most trusted bank and best customer service awards both went to Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank.

Mozo did not release a list of the worst performers, as it has done in previous years.

Among the big banks, Westpac was awarded best personal loans. National Australia Bank was rated the top big bank overall, and Commonwealth Bank was the big improver, moving from fourth to second place.

As has been noted in other customer satisfaction surveys this year, customers have not welcomed ANZ's strategy of setting interest rates independently of the Reserve Bank. Mozo said ANZ's home loan satisfaction rating fell 33 basis points this year.