Like a number of other small banks, ME enjoyed strong growth in customer numbers last year, as consumers walked away from the big banks in the wake of the Hayne royal commission.ME increased customer numbers by 7.6 per cent to 533,000 during the six months to December, with the increase mainly in customers who consider it their main financial institution.The bank's home loan portfolio grew by 5.5 per cent to A$26.7 billion, compared with the previous corresponding period. Customer deposits grew by 5.3 per cent to $16.4 billion. Both mortgages and deposits grew above system.Net interest income rose 4.5 per cent to $213.2 million and the net interest margin was steady at 1.59 per cent. Net profit rose 26.3 per cent to $52 million, while on an underlying basis, profit rose 6.6 per cent to $58.6 million.Growth in the bank's operating expenses rose just 1.7 per cent and the cost-to-income ratio fell 20 basis points to 61.1 per cent.The common equity tier 1 capital ratio rose 25 bps to 9.79 per cent.ME chief executive Jamie McPhee put the strong result down to the bank's  "focus on delivering simple, transparent and competitive products and services".During the half the bank upgraded its bundled everyday transaction and online savings account, making qualification for bonus rates easier and paying bonus rates on all savings accounts a customer may have.ME is participating in the COVID-19 relief effort, with a package that includes low rates on fixed rate home loans, higher term deposit rates (1.8 per cent for six and 12 months) and an option to pause home loan repayments for up to six months.The bank said a customer with a $400,000 loan would have an additional $1706 a month to meet expenses.