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
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham transcript of interview on ABC Riverland with Matt Stephens
26 August 2026

E&OERadio InterviewInterview on ABC Radio Riverland26 August 2026 Topics: Small and medium business scams; Tips to avoid scams Matt Stephens: This is a stat for you: four in five small and medium businesses say they’ve had a scam attempt on their business in the past 12 months. Four in five. The Australian Banking Association has… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks urge small business to stay alert to the risk of scams
24 August 2026

Four in five small and medium businesses say they have been exposed to an attempted scam in the past year, according to new research commissioned by the Australian Banking Association. This Scams Awareness Week, banks are reminding small businesses across the country to take steps to scam proof their operations and protect themselves as well… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks welcome passage of legislation to regulate Australia’s cash-in-transit sector
20 August 2026

The ABA welcomes today’s passage through the Parliament of the Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, an important safety net shoring up the ongoing distribution and availability of cash across the economy. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks continued to support customers who choose to use cash and this regulatory framework would provide greater certainty for… Read more »

Read more