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COVID-19 credit reporting improvements
It’s not just COVID-19. Get help if you’ve been impacted by bushfires, floods, or anything.
Australian banks are issuing debit cards to people who don’t have them. Information is now available for new debit card holders.
“…banks can go back to their normal processes and that is working out what’s right for every single customer, on an individual tailored basis with a proper assessment. That is the best thing for the customer.”
Interviewed by AM’s Peter Ryan, ABA CEO Anna Bligh talked about the substantial drop in loan deferrals since their peak during the pandemic, falling from 900,000 to 300,000.
The number of deferred loans has fallen below 300,000 – a reduction of almost 70% since the peak earlier this year.
“we’ve seen a record high number of Australians switch their loans, either to another bank or gone to their own bank and got a better deal.”
Anna answered questions about the impact of COVID-19 on banks’ profits, how banks have responded to help customers during the pandemic and what’s happening next to customers who’ve deferred their mortgages.
Since February 1, Australian banks have approved over $41b for SMEs and sole traders. That’s an average of $5 billion per month.
Interview: Almost 45% of Australians who deferred their mortgages in June have begun repaying their loans.
Almost half of deferred loans are now being repaid again as Australians recover from the pandemic
This year’s federal budget will help Australia recover from the economic impact of COVID‑19 and create jobs as the nation recovers. The Australian Banking Association has welcomed the strong focus on support for small and medium businesses and direct assistance to families. “Australian banks stand ready to continue their role helping millions of Australians through… Read more »
Australia’s banks supported their customers as the country entered the COVID-19 pandemic and they continue to support them on the way out. As the initial wave of 6-month loan payment deferrals come to an end, banks have begun to contact customers for their 6-month assessment and to discuss the next stage of support and assistance. … Read more »
Helping businesses to remain viable and keeping people in their homes is good for everyone.
“These figures show there are some green shoots emerging in our economy and that’s a positive sign.” – ABA CEO Anna Bligh
This new phase of support turns a cliff into manageable steps for Australians to get back on track.
Businesses in the creative industry who are looking to take advantage of the government-backed concessional loans should get in touch with their bank.
Banking activity during the coronavirus pandemic. Between 14 May and 19 June the ABA published data on total deferrals member banks made to customers. These figures represented the sum total of deferrals made at the time of each data publication, and does not account for deferrals which had been reversed at the customer request. ABA’s… Read more »
Banks have deferred the repayments of one in fourteen mortgages totalling more than $150 billion to assist Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia’s banks deferred an extra 100,000 loans, this week, including approximately 50,000 home loans, to help customers through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Total number of loans deferred is now at least 643,000.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, banks have provided an estimated $6.8 billion of deferrals and more than $45 billion in new loans.
Today the Treasurer met with the CEOs of ANZ, NAB, Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank who agreed to bolster their efforts to prioritise any business needing funding to bridge the gap until the first Jobkeeper payments are made in May. It was agreed special hotlines would be set up to help manage the applications from… Read more »
“Banks stand ready to throw a lifeline to businesses across the country who are doing it tough through this COVID-19 crisis.”
Commercial landlords can get debt relief from their bank, if they don’t terminate leases or evict current tenants for rent arrears due to COVID19.
Today’s announcement by the Federal Government of a second stimulus package, which includes an SME Guarantee Scheme and direct cash grants, will help keep businesses open and save jobs, building on the measures already announced by banks on Friday. The SME Guarantee Scheme which allows for further funds to be injected into small business will… Read more »
Australian banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for six months.
Any business financially impacted by the effects of COVID-19 should contact their bank
COVID-19 Banking Timeline: a financial history of the pandemic.
ABA also has a range of other useful resources that may assist you in getting through these tough times: