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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“Banks are in a unique position to play a proactive role in identifying and assisting victim-survivors of financial abuse, a role Australian banks take very seriously,”
It will enable banks to withhold credit reporting information where reporting that information could lead to customer harm.
The ABA has called upon Federal and State Australian governments to work together to combat the ongoing problem of elder financial abuse.
removing existing legal barriers that make it more difficult for financial institutions to help victim survivors of financial abuse.
“Our elderly Australians have worked hard over many years and deserve to live out their later years with dignity, respect and financial independence.”
“Many people don’t realise how prevalent financial abuse is and that it may be a red flag for future violence.”
“If you’re concerned you are being coerced or taken advantage of financially, I encourage you to contact your bank.” ABA CEO Anna Bligh
This industry guideline: Explains what financial abuse can look like and how it can impact customers and a bank’s relationship with their customers; and Outlines a framework for banks to raise awareness and promote consistent arrangements to deal with suspected cases of financial abuse This guideline reflects good industry practice, and the ABA encourages members… Read more »
Australian banks are launching updated guidelines on financial abuse as part of their continued focus on responding to family violence and elder abuse.
Family and domestic violence is a whole community issue and requires the collective efforts of government, communities, and the corporate sector, including banks, to respond to the challenges. This industry guideline: Explains that financial abuse is a form of family and domestic violence. Outlines how financial abuse can affect a bank’s relationship with their customer…. Read more »
Australian banks are urging state and territory governments to adopt consistent laws on powers of attorney to prevent elder financial abuse.
Today’s decision by the Council of Attorneys General in Adelaide to set baseline minimum standards for Powers of Attorney and create a mandatory national online register is a big leap forward to combating elder financial abuse. The coalition to fight elder financial abuse, backed by Bauer Media, includes the Australian Banking Association, the Seniors Rights… Read more »
Australia’s banks along with older persons advocacy groups are calling on state and federal governments to agree to establish a national online register of Powers of Attorney at tomorrow’s Council of Attorneys General meeting in Adelaide. The renewed call comes as banks release a new guide designed to help older people avoid abuse, scams and… Read more »
We know that people over the age of 50 are at risk of financial abuse, scams and fraud. This is often called elder financial abuse. Elder financial abuse can take many forms and happen to anyone. It is a mistake to think it couldn’t happen to you or those you love. Even though it’s hard… Read more »
On 17 October the ABA and a coalition of eight advocacy organisations held the Parliamentary Launch of the #StopElderFinancialAbuse campaign. The ongoing campaign has been run together with our partners Bauer Media, publisher of well known magazines such as the Australian Women’s Weekly.
The Stop Elder Financial Abuse campaign today held a Federal Parliament launch to brief Members and Senators on the actions needed to tackle the growing problem. Speaking at the launch Attorney General Christian Porter announced his plan for the next Council of Attorneys General meeting to set baseline standards of a national model of Power… Read more »
TRANSCRIPT E&OE 14 October 2019 Media Conference Parliament House Canberra ANNA BLIGH: Australia’s banks stand ready to assist the ACCC with this inquiry. Our banks are no strangers to public scrutiny and they look forward to providing information that will shed more light on the many complex factors that go into the determination of interest rates on Australian mortgages. QUESTION: Why have you passed on so little of the 75 percentage… Read more »
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has today announced it is joining forces with Bauer Media to expand its campaign to tackle elder financial abuse. The campaign, Stop Elder Financial Abuse, launches today in Sydney as newly released research reveals almost 6 in 10 Australians are worried that someone they know will be the victim of… Read more »
Australia’s banks will comply with a strong new code of practice that significantly increases and enshrines customer protections and introduces tough new penalties for breaches from tomorrow. The ASIC-approved Banking Code of Practice represents the most significant increase to customer protections under a code in the industry’s history. From 1 July, under the new Banking… Read more »
Customers at risk of elder financial abuse, those exiting a violent relationship and someone experiencing an unexpected long-term illness are among the focus of new ‘vulnerable customer guidelines’, on which public consultation opens today. The consultation, open to the public, will result in a new industry guideline on supporting vulnerable customers, to complement the new… Read more »