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Financial Assistance Hub

Financial relief available for people affected by WA bushfires

12 January 2016

Sydney, 12 January 2016: A range of assistance packages are available from banks to help communities affected by the bushfires in Western Australia, the Australian Bankers’ Association said today.

ABA Chief Executive Steven Münchenberg said: “Individual banks have announced assistance packages to help ease some of the burden faced by people who have lost homes and been impacted by the bushfires.

“If your household or business has been affected, contact your bank as soon as possible to find out what type of assistance is on offer,” he said.

The support offered to customers will depend on individual circumstances and needs, but may include:

  • Suspending home loan or credit card repayments
  • Waiving charges associated with withdrawing term deposits early
  • Emergency accommodation assistance, and
  • Waiving fees related to restructuring business loans.

ENDS

Contact: Stephanie Arena 0477 470 677 or Nic Frankham 0435 963 913

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