21 November 2019
Today’s authorisation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of changes to the Banking Code of Practice, as recommended by Commissioner Hayne in his final report, is an important step in further strengthening protections for customers.
Changes recommended, and now authorised by the ACCC, include:
- Banning charging default interest on distressed agricultural loans
- Providing inclusive and accessible banking services to those with limited English and those living in remote areas
- Giving concession card holders access to accounts with no overdraft and dishonour fees
- Making the features of a basic, low and no fee bank account for low income earners uniform across the industry (in addition to the recommendations of the Final Report).
The industry now awaits final approval by the Australian Securities Investments Commission of the Royal Commission changes the Code, with implementation early next year.
ENDS
Contact: Rory Grant 0475 741 007
Latest news
E&OERadio InterviewFiveAA Adelaide with Graeme Goodings14 November 2025. Topics: Black Fridays shopping Scams; Meta and scams ads; Bank account access Graeme Goodings (Host): We’ve got to be aware of scammers every single day, and they’re getting cleverer and smarter all the time, and people continue to fall for their traps. We need to be ever vigilant. With… Read more »
Shoppers are being urged to stay alert to the risk of scammers as Black Friday sales kick-off, after almost $40 million was lost to buying and selling scams over the past year. The ABA is reminding shoppers to be on the lookout for: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham urged shoppers to remain vigilant as scammers are… Read more »
E&OERadio InterviewABC Melbourne with Ali MooreThursday, 30 October 2025. Topics: Crypto ATMs; scams; cash access. Ali Moore (Host): So now there are calls to ban the ATMs to try and end the scams. Simon Birmingham is the CEO of the Australian Banking Association. Simon, hello, Simon Birmingham (Guest): Hello Ali, great to be with you… Read more »