News

Journalist: The question I have is, are these regulations actually necessary, because my understanding is that a lot of banks already disclose this information?  Anna Bligh: These changes will mean more consistency for customers. Many banks are already doing a number of these things to make it easier for customers to get information. If these… Read more »

Andy Park    Many homeowners and indeed renters would have breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when the RBA decided to keep the cash rate on hold but with the RBA Governor saying it’s too soon to declare victory, the question is not if but when there will be another interest rate hike. Perhaps certainly before… Read more »

Jenny Marchant    Your biggest cost is probably your rent or your mortgage, and they’re probably also the bills you’ll move heaven and earth to pay if you have to, because we all need somewhere to live. But the number of mortgage holders struggling with payments is increasing. If you find yourself in that position in… Read more »

Tom Connell  Those people with a home loan who have had a fixed rate are getting a shock as they come off that fixed rate. Often as low as two percent and onto the new variable rate that can be as high as six or even seven percent. So how is that affecting people out… Read more »

​Australians facing difficult financial decisions are being reminded to get in touch with their bank and get the support they need to keep repayments on track.   The Australian Banking Association (ABA) is extending its ‘don’t tough it out on your own’ campaign which was launched last year, with a further round of advertisements to run… Read more »

Banks have dedicated hardship teams on standby to help those impacted by Tropical Cyclone Kirrily and the Australian Banking Association has urged those in need of financial assistance to reach out.  “With the second major cyclone in as many months followed by torrential rain, people in Queensland have been dealt yet another serious blow. I… Read more »

“There’s no doubt there’s a lot of stress and that’s one of the reasons people are talking to those hardship teams in banks. And I encourage people to do that.”

“these factsheets are just one tool in Australian banks’ toolkit of offerings to help customers to get back on track”

Anna Bligh spoke to ABC Radio North Coast on how banks can help those impacted by floods in the Lismore region.

options to defer loan repayments for up to 3 months for those customers affected by the flood disasters

“it’s heartening to see the need for assistance declining as many States and Territories come out of lockdown”

More than 57,000 customers have received hardship assistance during recent lockdowns across Australia.

these options do give people you know, a breather, that’s what they’re designed to do, just take the load off for three months, while you get through everything else that you need to get through.”

“customers can rest assured that their bank will have their back”

Banks across Australia are ready and willing to assist customers affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“Once conditions ease, it’s important for anyone impacted to know their bank is ready to provide assistance”

“I’m urging anyone who has been affected by the mouse plague to get in touch with their bank and find out about the assistance on offer.”

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… Read more »

“right at the height of COVID, when things were at their absolute worst, only 10% of Australian mortgage holders deferred the payments on those mortgages. 90% of those people are now back paying in full.”

“Banks have already been acting on the findings of Commissioner Hayne and remain fully engaged for this next phase” ABA CEO Anna Bligh