The Australian Banking Association (ABA) is the information source for the news media on the Australian banking industry, providing information, analysis and context on industry issues.
The ABA plays an active role in the public dialogue on banking and financial services, providing commentary on broader industry issues and facilitating access to other sources of information.
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The ABA has today announced that former ASIC Deputy Chair Peter Kell will undertake the five yearly independent review of the Banking Code of Practice, the rule book that sets standards of service for customers. The Code sets out consumer protections and safeguards that are in addition to the law for individuals, small business customers… Read more »
ABA welcomes today’s move by the Reserve Bank of Australia to designate Armaguard under the recently legislated Cash Distribution Framework Act. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said this was an important step in providing ongoing stability to the distribution and availability of cash across the economy. “The Cash Distribution Framework is an important piece of regulatory… Read more »
E&OERadio InterviewFiveAA Adelaide with Will Goodings and Stacey Lee27 August 2026. Topics: How banks are fighting back against scams; Housing market Will Goodings: All right, let’s talk scams. The CEO of the Australian Banking Association is Simon Birmingham. Birmo, good morning to you. Simon Birmingham Good morning, Will, g’day, Stacy. Will Goodings: How big a… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The ABA welcomes the commitment today by the Assistant Treasurer and Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino to make the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) more sustainable by reducing the losses and costs associated with it. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said changes to the CSLR must help contain losses that generate claims and place the… Read more »
Small businesses are benefiting from more favourable lending conditions thanks to stronger competition, as the full extent of banking support for these businesses is laid out in a new report released today by the Australian Banking Association. The ABA’s latest industry report focusing on small and medium businesses finds: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the… Read more »
The ABA urges the final passage of the Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026 and accompanying legislation through the Senate this fortnight. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the legislation was a critical safety net to protect the long-term availability of cash for Australians who still rely on it. “Cash remains an important payment option for many Australians,… Read more »
Australian banks are warning households to be on the look-out for Census related scams as criminals look to get their hands on personal and financial information. Key tips for staying Census safe: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were on high alert for scams as criminals look to cash in on this week’s Census. “The… Read more »
Australian banks welcome the release of new Statements of Expectations for APRA and ASIC, which put economic growth, proportionate regulation and cutting unnecessary regulatory burden at the centre of how Australia’s financial regulators operate. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the inclusion of growth mandates in these new statements is something the banking industry has consistently… Read more »
The ABA welcomes today’s consultation paper from APRA on proposed changes to bank credit risk capital settings, which have the potential to support more lending and lift productivity. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the consultation was a welcome step towards a more efficient capital framework while still retaining the underlying strength and stability of Australia’s… Read more »
Surging household ownership of Australian banks, record lending to first home buyers and strong competition helping mortgage holders save up to $2,000 a year are some of the findings of a new report released today. ‘The essential infrastructure: How Australian banks power the economy’ produced by Mandala on behalf of the ABA finds: ABA CEO Simon… Read more »
Australian banks welcome today’s proposal from APRA and ASIC to reduce the regulatory burden associated with the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR). ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said this was a sensible measure announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget to reduce some of the administrative burden placed on banks related to FAR. “This is a commonsense and… Read more »
The ABA acknowledges today’s release of designations, draft industry codes, draft rules and a government discussion paper regarding the Scam Prevention Framework (SPF). Banks will scrutinise these SPF settings carefully to ensure they: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the most important policy objective of the SPF needed to be preventing scam losses in the first… Read more »
The Alliance of Industry Associations described measures in the Federal Budget as positive first steps on productivity reform, while calling for further action to deliver sustained cost of living relief for households and businesses. The Alliance, representing around 30 industry groups from a broad cross-section of Australia’s economy, has previously called for a significant package… Read more »
The ABA says the 2026 Federal Budget lays the groundwork for reforms that enhance productivity across the financial services sector and the broader economy. Projected improvements to the overall Budget position through lower deficits and a more sustainable fiscal trajectory are also welcome. Ongoing fiscal discipline, including spending restraint, will be key to placing… Read more »
Customers facing financial stress from ongoing cost pressures and higher loan repayments are being urged to get in touch with their bank if they need support. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks have a range of practical measures they can put in place to help customers navigate the current economic environment. “Australian banks recognise that… Read more »
Australia’s banks contributed a record $16 billion in taxes and other levies in the 2025 financial year, enough to fund over 370 million bulk-billed GP appointments, according to a new report released today by the Australian Banking Association. The Contribution Gap: Tax and regulatory imbalances in the digital age, highlights the critical role banks play… Read more »
The ABA welcomes the release today of Treasury’s exposure draft legislation to regulate Australia’s cash-in-transit sector. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said this regulatory framework was an essential piece in the puzzle of ensuring cash remains available to Australians who still use it. “This is a welcome step and will be an important safety net in… Read more »