Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Banks to assist mouse plague affected customers

3 June 2021

Customers affected by the mouse plague are being encouraged to contact their bank to access assistance on offer, which can include deferring principal payments on business loans, credit card and personal relief and waiving costs for withdrawing term deposits early.

Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association Anna Bligh said as the plague continues to worsen banks are ready to assist communities and have been helping customers in need.

“Whether it be a drought, flood, COVID-19 or a mouse plague, Australian banks are committed to assisting customers in need,” Ms Bligh said.

“I’m urging anyone who has been affected by the mouse plague to get in touch with their bank and find out about the assistance on offer.”

ABA CEO Anna Bligh

“I’m urging anyone who has been affected by the mouse plague to get in touch with their bank and find out about the assistance on offer.”

“No one needs to suffer in silence and we all know natural disasters and plagues can bring unwanted stress into people’s lives, so customers should make the most of this opportunity and speak to their bank to find out what’s on offer.”

ABA member banks are offering a range of assistance measures to help customers in need. These measures can include:

  • Deferring principal payments on business loans and/or leasing payments
  • Offering a reduction on home loan and personal loan repayments
  • Credit card and personal loan relief
  • Waiving application fees for restructuring business facilities
  • Mental health support via specialist programs

Customers are encouraged to contact their bank directly to discuss hardship arrangements available to them.


Banks are ready to assist customers in financial difficulty


Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Banks welcome draft scams codes progress
29 November 2025

The ABA welcomes today’s release of draft industry designations and framework for scams code obligations for banks, telecommunication companies and digital platforms – reinforcing the importance of an ecosystem approach in the fight against scammers. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the draft materials were the next piece of the puzzle in ongoing efforts to drive… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on ABC Pacific Beat
28 November 2025

E&OE Radio Interview ABC Pacific Beat  28 November 2025  Topics: Loan scams impact seasonal workers; Scam protection tips Host: Welcome back to Pacific Beat. Seasonal and PALM scheme workers in Australia are being advised to stay vigilant and not share their personal details with anyone. It follows an alert issued by Commonwealth Bank warning about scams targeting seasonal workers…. Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on ABC Radio National Breakfast
28 November 2025

E&OE Radio Interview ABC Radio National Breakfast28 November 2025  Topics: APRA’s debt-to-income ratio caps change; Lending practices; Refunds on low fee accounts Sally Sara (Host): Sally Sara with you for breakfast. The banking regulator APRA has fired warning shots at major lenders this week, following an uptick in riskier forms of lending as interest rates have fallen. From February… Read more »

Read more