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The Australian Banking Association (ABA) is the information source for the news media on the Australian banking industry, providing information, analysis and context on industry issues.

The ABA plays an active role in the public dialogue on banking and financial services, providing commentary on broader industry issues and facilitating access to other sources of information.

For media inquiries contact [email protected] or 0475 741 007.


Transcript
Anna Bligh speaking to 4BC on HECS debt and lending  
17 May 2024

Sofie Formica    ABA CEO Anna Bligh is joining us on the line. Good afternoon, Anna, and thanks for connecting.  Anna Bligh    Good afternoon Sofie, nice to talk to you again.  Sofie Formica    You too. So, can you just talk us through this? Let’s start at the beginning. How are banks assessing student debt now when… Read more »

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Media Releases
Banks welcome Budget investment to further strengthen and secure our financial system for Australians   
14 May 2024

The ABA welcomes the 2024-25 Federal Budget and its focus on further strengthening the safety of our financial system.  

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Transcript
Anna Bligh speaking on ABC’s Radio National Drive about financial hardship   
13 May 2024

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 »

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Transcript
Anna Bligh interview on ABC Melbourne discussing HECS debt and lending
8 May 2024

Ali Moore  Well, if you’ve got a HECS or HELP debt, what happened if you’ve been to your bank and you’ve asked for a home loan, how much of a difference has it made to what you’re able to borrow? And what are the options for treating student debt differently? Anna Bligh is the CEO… Read more »

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Transcript
Anna Bligh interview on 2GB Drive discussing cash payments and surcharging  
1 May 2024

Chris O’Keefe    When it comes to cash, 424 bank branches have closed, or 11% of Australia’s overall branches. This included 122 branches in regional and remote areas plus a further 718 ATMs were shut down or removed during the same period. So they make it hard for us to use cash, both businesses and banks,… Read more »

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Transcript
Anna Bligh interview on ABC Newcastle about the ABA’s financial hardship campaign.  
1 May 2024

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 »

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Media Releases
Banks continue fight against scammers as new report shows drop in losses  
29 April 2024

Banks are continuing to play their part to protect Australians from scams, as the industry welcomes a new report showing scam losses fell by 13 per cent last year.   The Australian Banking Association acknowledges the release today of the 2023 Targeting Scams Report by the National Anti-Scam Centre. Whilst there was an 18.5 per… Read more »

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Transcript
Anna Bligh Interview Sky News, discussing financial hardship and what banks can do to help
22 April 2024

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 »

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Media Releases
Banks remind customers, ‘don’t tough it out on your own’
22 April 2024

​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 »

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Transcript
Anna Bligh Interview with ABC Radio Brisbane, discussing future of cash and Digital ID
3 April 2024

Steve Austin  Well as you know, the Commonwealth Government has made it clear they consider access to cash a priority for the Australian economy and the country’s largest banks, as well as Coles, Woolworths, companies like Wesfarmers and Australia Post have been trying to put together a short term lifeline for Armaguard, who’s the company… Read more »

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Transcript
Anna Bligh interview on Sunrise about the future of cash
3 April 2024

Natalie Barr  And to the cash emergency hitting our country. Emergency talks are being held this week, with our top banks preparing for a potential cash crash. It comes as Australia’s key money supplier Armaguard fights to stay afloat. Spearheaded by the Australian Banking Association, the banks are now pulling together a contingency plan to… Read more »

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Media Releases
ABA statement on financial support for Linfox Armaguard
2 April 2024

The Australian Banking Association acknowledges Linfox Armaguard (LFA)’s statement that they won’t be taking up the offer of financial support from a collective of banks, retailers and supermarkets.    We welcome Armaguard’s commitment that they will continue to operate and have secured funds from their parent company to maintain their full suite of services.   Australia’s largest… Read more »

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Media Releases
Digital ID will better protect Australians from cybercrime and scammers  
28 March 2024

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) welcomes legislation passing through the Senate to expand Australia’s digital identity system.   Importantly, this legislation will allow banks to apply to join the nationwide framework within two years of commencement.  ABA CEO Anna Bligh said a voluntary nationwide Digital ID would be another important tool for banks to help protect… Read more »

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Media Releases
Early signs of success in war against scammers 
15 March 2024

The Australian Banking Association welcomes the release today of a new report from the National Anti-Scam Centre showing that industry and government measures to tackle scams are protecting more Australians.     The latest quarterly report shows that overall scam losses in the 2023 December quarter were down by 43% compared to the same quarter last year.  … Read more »

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Media Releases
Banks welcome Federal Government’s commitment to a regulatory roadmap 
11 March 2024

The Australian Banking Association welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to introduce a financial sector regulatory initiatives grid.   ABA CEO Anna Bligh said providing a clearer picture of the future regulatory landscape would allow the Government to implement policy initiatives whilst at the same time reducing the compliance burden on industry.   “Banks recognise that regulation is vitally important… Read more »

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Media Releases
Financial safety front of mind this International Women’s Day 
8 March 2024

This International Women’s Day, the Australian Banking Association has reaffirmed the sector’s unwavering commitment to protecting women’s financial safety and security.     In Australia, one in six women will experience financial abuse over the course of their lifetime. The 2024 IWD theme “Count Her In” is an opportunity to talk about the types of financial abuse… Read more »

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Transcript
ABA CEO Anna Bligh interview with Andy Park ABC RN
4 March 2024

Andy Park  The Reserve Bank is now calling on banks to do more to reduce the impact of these surcharges on businesses and customers. Anna Bligh, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association, she joins me now. Anna, a billion dollars in card fees, this is having a pretty significant impact on… Read more »

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Don’t fall for a fake cupid this Valentine’s Day  
13 February 2024

Love is in the air, but so are scammers looking to exploit the season of hearts and flowers.   As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) urges everyone to be extra cautious and scam-proof their heart from romance scams and other fraudulent schemes.  “Scammers play the part and prey on people’s emotions,” ABA CEO… Read more »

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Banks hardship teams on standby to help cyclone-impacted communities in Queensland 
31 January 2024

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 »

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Media Releases
Banks stand ready to support cyclone-impacted communities in Far North Queensland 
18 December 2023

Today the Australian Banking Association has told Queenslanders impacted by major flooding as a result of cyclone Jasper that banks have teams on standby to help those in need.  “The ABA urges anyone in need of financial assistance to reach out to their bank, and to do so as early as possible. Dedicated hardship teams… Read more »

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