Bank support for those affected by floods
Sydney, 14 January, 2010: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) reminded people today that banks are offering emergency relief packages to those customers impacted by the floods in NSW and Queensland and other areas.
Individual banks have announced assistance packages to help families and individuals, business people and farmers in the communities adversely affected by flood waters.
Steven Münchenberg, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “Many bank customers have been affected by the floods, in recent days, or over the past month. The measures banks have put in place will provide practical help by giving immediate financial relief to those in most need of assistance and will help people and businesses get back on their feet.”
“If you have been impacted by the floods and are worried about your financial situation now or in the future, contact your bank as soon as possible to discuss what assistance may be available.”
Assistance provided to people will vary according to their individual circumstances, but can include:
- deferring home loan repayments for up to three months;
- restructuring business loans without incurring fees;
- giving credit card holders an emergency credit limit increase;
- refinancing personal loans at a discounted fixed rate;
- waiving interest rate penalties if term deposits are drawn early; and
- deferring monthly repayments on equipment finance facilities for three months.
Banks have also established dedicated numbers for affected customers to call:
| ANZ |
1800 149 549 |
ING |
1300 349 166 |
| Bank of Queensland |
1800 079 866 |
NAB |
1800 701 599 |
| Bendigo and Adelaide |
1300 652 146 |
Rabobank |
1800 025 484 |
| Citibank |
13 24 84 |
Suncorp |
13 11 75 |
| Commonwealth |
13 22 21 |
St George |
1300 769 578 |
| HSBC |
1300 732 943 |
Westpac |
1800 067 497 |
These numbers are available at www.bankers.asn.au
Independent financial counselling services can be contacted on 1800 007 007.
Bank assistance packages are also available to those affected by fire or flooding outside of Queensland and NSW.