26 October 2021
This industry guideline:
- explains how the Commonwealth consumer protection laws and the Banking Code of Practice apply to banks’ financial difficulty programs.
- provides practical guidance on what banks can do to meet these obligations when dealing with customers who may be experiencing financial difficulty.
- outlines a framework for banks that balances the need for consistent, standardised access to financial difficulty assistance with the need for flexibility when responding to customers’ unique personal and financial circumstances.
- promotes best practice across the banking industry.
This guideline reflects good industry practice, and the Australian Banking Association (ABA) encourages members to use the principles in this guideline to put in place internal processes, procedures, and policies.
Latest news
Banks are on standby to support customers across the Mid-North Coast and Hunter regions impacted by the current severe weather and flooding. ABA CEO Anna Bligh said with torrential rain and flooding taking place, banks were activating financial assistance and relief to support their customers. “Banks recognise that this is a very challenging weather event… Read more »
Michael McLaren (Host): Well, here we are at the Easter Show, the great celebration of country life in the city, but it’s also an important platform this to better understand the challenges that the regions face. Now, yesterday, we looked at the floods. Today, I want to look at the banks. Now in the regions,… Read more »
The ABA is reminding customers across North and Far North Queensland that they don’t have to tough it out on their own, as they continue to recover from February’s severe flooding event. ABA CEO Anna Bligh recently met with Queensland’s State Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps to discuss how banks can assist customers facing financial difficulty… Read more »