See how banks can help
12 March 2020
Today’s announcement by the Federal Government for a $17.6 billion stimulus package will help keep Australia strong as the impacts of COVID-19 are beginning to be felt across the country.
CEO of the Australian Banking Association Anna Bligh said Australia’s banks were well prepared for the challenges presented by the outbreak of COVID-19 and were ready to play their part in the response.
“This economic stimulus package will be a welcome shot in the arm for businesses and individuals,” Ms Bligh said.
“We continue to stress, any business or individual financially impacted by COVID-19 should contact their bank who, on a case by case basis, can provide a wide range of assistance.”
ABA CEO Anna Bligh
“Australia’s banks are strong, stable and open for business, including for any company wanting to take advantage of initiatives in the Government’s stimulus package such as the increase to the threshold of the instant asset write off from $30,000 to $150,000.
“We continue to stress, any business or individual financially impacted by COVID-19 should contact their bank who, on a case by case basis, can provide a wide range of assistance,” 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.
ENDS
Contact: Rory Grant 0475 741 007
Latest news
Banks will better detect, prevent and respond to financial abuse under an updated industry guideline released today by the Australian Banking Association. The ABA has brought together separate resources on financial abuse, including elder abuse and family and domestic violence into a single framework, building on existing industry guidance and supporting the financial abuse provisions… Read more »
The ABA and its member banks are reminding businesses to make sure they are ready for the upcoming Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) card surcharge reforms which take effect from 1 October 2026. These changes mean: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were supporting business customers to prepare for these changes, along with implementing the… Read more »
E&OETV InterviewInterview on News24 with Kieran Gilbert11 September 2026 Topics: Mortgage fraud; card surcharging ban; immigration Kieran Gilbert: Let’s turn our attention now to one of the biggest financial crime syndicates in Australian history. I want to talk about the implications for our banking system with the CEO of the Banking Association, Simon Birmingham. Simon,… Read more »