Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Response to Productivity Commission final report

3 August 2018

Australian banks welcome competition and compete not only through price, but through constant innovations to product features and experiences. Banks are constantly working to ensure customer satisfaction and the availability of quality products.

The Productivity Commission’s report highlights that competition among financial providers is increasing, noting the presence of new market entrants, the positive impact of mortgage broking and the improvement of technology.

Mortgage lending products are highly competitive, with 141 authorised financial providers (ADIs) offering products to suit varied consumer needs. Banks also offer Australian households innovative features and services at competitive prices.

That competition has seen one in five of us switch accounts over the past year.

The ABA believes strongly that competition will improve further with the introduction of Open Banking, Comprehensive Credit Reporting and regulatory reforms to further reduce barriers to new entrants.

In addition, the new ASIC approved Banking Code of Practice has specific requirements regarding transparency and providing information to consumers to help them be better informed.

The Australian Banking Association and its members look forward to considering the Productivity Commission’s report and findings in full.

ENDS
Contact: Kelly Stevens 0475 741 007

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Banks urge Aussies to stay Census safe as scammers look to cash in
10 August 2026

Australian banks are warning households to be on the look-out for Census related scams as criminals look to get their hands on personal and financial information.  Key tips for staying Census safe:  ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were on high alert for scams as criminals look to cash in on this week’s Census. “The… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview with ABC Sydney’s Thomas Oriti on offset accounts
29 July 2026

E&OERadio InterviewABC Radio Sydney29 July 2026 Topics: ASIC report into offset accounts Thomas Oriti: Do you have an offset account? I think most people with a mortgage do. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s an account that’s linked to your mortgage and it saves you interest. So, I’ll give you an example…. Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview with ABC News 24’s Ros Childs on offset accounts
29 July 2026

E&OETV InterviewABC News29 July 2026. Topics: ASIC report into offset accounts Ros Childs: Borrowers are being advised to check if they have paid more interest than they should following an ASIC review. The two-year review conducted by the corporate watchdog has found weaknesses in how eight banks monitored and managed offset accounts, resulting in borrowers… Read more »

Read more