Sydney, 24 August 2016: There is still an opportunity to make a submission to the independent review of the Code of Banking Practice, the Australian Bankers’ Association said today.

“The Code of Banking Practice, which sets standards of good conduct for banks, is being reviewed to ensure that it remains relevant and effective,” ABA Chief Executive Steven Münchenberg said.

“The independent reviewer, Mr Phil Khoury, has extended the deadline for submissions until 31 August 2016 to give people more time to contribute,” he said.

“This is an important opportunity for interested parties to have their say on customer rights and responsibilities and how banking standards can be improved.”

Submissions can be sent to banking.code.review@cameronralph.com.au. The review’s Terms of Reference are available at www.cobpreview.cameronralph.com.au. 

“The review is part of comprehensive new measures by banks to protect customer interests and be more accountable,” Mr Münchenberg said. 

More information is available at betterbanking.net.au. 

Background:

The Code of Banking Practice sets standards of good banking practice when dealing with individual and small business customers and their guarantors. The Code covers obligations for banks in areas including the offer of banking services, information and disclosure, complaints handling, customers with special needs and customers experiencing financial difficulty.

Banks that adopt the Code must reflect this in their contracts with their individual and small business customers and are therefore contractually bound by their obligations.

More information on the Code, including FAQs, is available on the ABA website.

ENDS

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

@austbankers

bankers.asn.au