Financial Assistance Hub
Search for policy, media releases and more

Victorian floods: on the ground

Home News & ResourcesVictorian floods: on the ground
Victorian floods: on the ground

24 November 2022

The ABA recently visited regional Victoria to see the impact of the recent floods first-hand.

The tour of Rochester and Echuca was set up to share the support available by banks and encourage customers affected to contact their bank.
The ABA also gathered feedback from impacted bank customers and the local community to hear what further help banks can offer to assist people to get back on their feet.
ABA team members unofficially attended a town hall meeting held by the Insurance Council of Australia as observers.
They also visited businesses damaged by the floods, including local bank branches, and provided information to on-the-ground financial counsellors and governmental emergency agencies so they could best support those affected.

After the floods: images of Echuca and Rochester

  • Bendigo Bank, Rochester Branch, after flooding.
  • Inundated wharves of the Echuca Paddlesteamers on the Murray River
  • Kendall Beattie, Regional Manager, Bendigo Bank, James Pietromonaco, Manager, Bendigo Bank (Rochester) and Ellen Choulman, Director Business Engagement and Policy ABA.
  • Sandbagged house in Echuca
  • Street in Echuca
  • Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, speaking at the town hall meeting in Rochester
  • Bendigo Bank, Rochester Branch, after flooding.
  • Inundated wharves of the Echuca Paddlesteamers on the Murray River
  • Kendall Beattie, Regional Manager, Bendigo Bank, James Pietromonaco, Manager, Bendigo Bank (Rochester) and Ellen Choulman, Director Business Engagement and Policy ABA.
  • Sandbagged house in Echuca
  • Street in Echuca
  • Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, speaking at the town hall meeting in Rochester

Banks are here to support you: don’t tough it out on your own

Find out more

Recent news

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Former ASIC Commissioner Sean Hughes appointed Chair of the Banking Code Compliance Committee
16 January 2026

In conjunction with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), the ABA is pleased to announce the appointment of former ASIC Commissioner Mr Sean Hughes as the next Chair of the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC).   Mr Hughes served as a Commissioner at ASIC from 2018 to 2023 and brings deep expertise in financial services… Read more »

Read more
Op-Ed
Op-Ed: Your super is footing the bill for someone else’s gamble
15 January 2026

The CSLR was intended to give basic protection to mum and dad-type investors. It should not be a collectively funded vehicle for removing investment risk from society.

Read more
Media Releases
Banks offer support to customers impacted by the Victorian bushfires
12 January 2026

Australian banks are rolling out disaster support to customers affected by the current bushfires in Victoria. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were continuing to monitor the evolving situation across Victoria and are on standby to assist impacted customers. “This is an extremely challenging time for many Victorian communities, households and businesses,” Mr Birmingham said.   “There are now special arrangements in place for those who may need additional financial assistance from their bank in the coming days, weeks and months.  “Banks have highly… Read more »

Read more