23 September 2017
More than three million Australians have switched banks over the past three years with two-thirds finding it an easy process, the Australian Bankers’ Association said today.
The ABA’s submission to the Productivity Commission review into competition in Australia’s financial system shows that customers are taking advantage of competition in financial products and services.
“Australia has a competitive banking system with hundreds of providers of financial products and services, and many comparison websites at customers’ fingertips,” ABA Chief Executive Anna Bligh said.
“An ABA survey conducted by Galaxy Research shows that almost two-thirds of Australians have accounts at more than one bank, suggesting that people are shopping around to find the best deals and the right products for their needs,” she said.
“Canstar data shows there are more than 1,000 deposit products on offer, 4,000 different home loans, almost 200 business loan products and 157 credit cards.
“These products have many different features and interest rates which provide customers with great flexibility and choice. This includes fixed or variable home loans, low-fee or rewards based credit cards, and basic bank accounts for low-income earners,” Ms Bligh said.
“When it comes to home loans, customers are actively looking for and finding the best deals. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that more than 30 per cent of all new home loans are from customers who change their mortgage provider.
“Also with credit cards, balance transfers are easy to do. Last year, eight per cent of credit card balances were a balance transfer,” she said.
“Finding better deals in financial products and services is set to get even easier as open banking evolves and customers gain access to their data to shop around,” Ms Bligh said.
ENDS
Contact: Stephanie Arena 0477 470 677
Latest news
E&OERadio InterviewABC Radio National Hour24 March 2026. Topics: Australia-EU free trade deal Fran Kelly (Host): Total two-way trade between Australia and the EU was worth nearly $110 billion in the last financial year, and this Free Trade Agreement is expected to be worth an extra 10 billion in the first year alone. But farmers are… Read more »
Leading Australian business, industry, investment and peak body organisations welcome the conclusion of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement, the establishment of the Australia–EU Security and Defence Partnership, and the decision to fast-track negotiations for Australia’s association with Horizon Europe. These outcomes provide much-needed clarity and confidence at a time when businesses, investors, and researchers… Read more »
E&OE Radio Interview FiveAA Breakfast with David Penberthy and Will Goodings 17 March 2026. Topics: Tax paid by Australian banks; RBA Powers to regulate big tech David Penberthy (Host): Well, it’s a big amount of money, $16 billion that’s how much tax Australia’s biggest banks paid last year. And at the same time, organisations like Apple, Google and Meta, you think about the ease with which and the frequency with which we… Read more »