Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Support available for customers affected by NSW floods

21 March 2021

Australian banks are supporting communities in New South Wales after torrential rain and floods in parts of the state. 

Floodwaters have inundated towns on the NSW North Coast, Sydney has been pummelled by heavy rain and more is forecast in coming days. 

Australian Banking Association CEO Anna Bligh says banks have a range of measures in place. 

“Once the cleanup begins, it’s important for people to know that they can talk to their bank to seek assistance”, Ms Bligh said. 

“The message from banks is clear: don’t tough it out on your own, your bank is ready to help”. 

“The message from banks is clear: don’t tough it out on your own, your bank is ready to help”.

ABA CEO Anna Bligh

A range of services to help farmers and small businesses

ABA member banks offer a range of services to help farmers and small businesses affected by natural disasters. These can include:  

  • A deferral of scheduled loan repayments  
  • Waiving fees and charges, including break costs on early access to term deposits  
  • Debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable  
  • Restructuring existing loans free of the usual establishment fees  
  • Deferring interest payments on a case-by-case basis  
  • Offering additional finance to help cover cash flow shortages  
  • Deferring upcoming credit card payments  
  • Increasing emergency credit card limits. 

Get help now. Don’t tough it out on your own.

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
ABA statement on Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook  
17 December 2025

The ABA acknowledges the release of the 2025-26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.   The Government’s forecasted $8.4 billion reduction in the deficit over the forward estimates including a $5.4 billion reduction for year’s deficit is welcome.   Lower deficits and claimed savings of $20 billion over the next four years is a beginning towards ensuring our national finances are on a more sustainable footing.   While this Budget update contains lower forecasts of spending as a share of GDP, the ABA notes the importance of ongoing spending restraint to help reduce inflationary and interest rate pressures.   Banks… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
New ABA Chair appointed to lead banking industry
3 December 2025

ANZ CEO Nuno Matos has been appointed as the new Chair of the ABA Council, as banks continue their focus on meeting the needs of customers as well as playing a crucial role in the Australian economy.  At the ABA’s Annual General Meeting today in Melbourne, ING CEO Melanie Evans was also reappointed as Deputy… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks welcome draft scams codes progress
29 November 2025

The ABA welcomes today’s release of draft industry designations and framework for scams code obligations for banks, telecommunication companies and digital platforms – reinforcing the importance of an ecosystem approach in the fight against scammers. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the draft materials were the next piece of the puzzle in ongoing efforts to drive… Read more »

Read more