11 March 2020
This morning the CEOs of the Australian Banking Association met with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to discuss the strength of the economy and response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Australia’s banking industry reinforced to the Government that they are well prepared for the impacts of the COVID-19 and stand ready to assist Australians impacted.
Chair of the Australian Banking Association and CEO of the Commonwealth Bank Matt Comyn said that “Australia has a very strong financial system with banks that are well-capitalised and have strong balance sheets.
“any business financially impacted by the effects of COVID-19 should contact their bank to be assessed on a case by case basis to access the assistance on offer”
ABA CEO Anna Bligh
“Banks have supported the country through difficult times in the past and continue to do so. We are very much open for business,” he said.
CEO of the Australian Banking Association Anna Bligh said “Banks stand ready to support customers and if anyone is in need of assistance, they shouldn’t wait but come forward as soon as possible.”
“In particular any business financially impacted by the effects of COVID-19 should contact their bank to be assessed on a case by case basis to access the assistance on offer,” she said.
The type of assistance offered will depend on individual circumstances, but can include:
- A deferral of scheduled loan repayments
- Waiving fees and charges
- Interest free periods or no interest rate increases
- Debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable.
Get details of your bank’s hardship team.
Contact: Rory Grant 0475 741 007
Latest news
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 »
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 »
E&OETV InterviewDoorstop29 July 2026 Topics: ASIC report into offset accounts Journalist: Simon, what’s your reaction to the report from ASIC today? Simon Birmingham: ASIC’s report is really important and it’s welcomed by the banking industry. This report shows that in well over 99 per cent of cases, mortgage offset accounts are working exactly they should… Read more »