The Banks have been proactive in their response to the floods, making contact with their customers. The Banks across the board have indicated a willingness to assist customers on a case by case basis.
The key message from financiers is to take the initiative to talk to them and to be properly prepared to discuss the impact on your business directly or alternatively as a result of the impact on your customers and suppliers. Treat your banker as a partner in the business. Keep them fully informed during this period.
Matters to be considered prior to and in discussions with your relationship manager or contact are:
- Need for a moratorium on both principal and interest repayments
- Need for additional working capital funding, or
- Need to restructure facilities
Many of the big banks have released information to assist flood-impacted customers. For more information on how your bank can help you, see below.
Information from the Big Banks
Many of the big banks have released information to assist flood impacted customers. For more information on how your bank can help you, see below.
ANZ
ANZ are offering a financial relief package for NSW and QLD customers, including short-term payment relief on home loans, credit cards, personal loans and some business loans.
Click here for more information
Bank of Queensland
The Bank of Queensland is offering a variety of support measures to eligible customers, including 90 day deferral of loan repayments, waiver of fess on transactions related to financial difficulty assistance, early release of funds held in Term Deposits, and temporary overdrafts.
Click here for more information
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
Bendigo and Adelaide bank support offered includes home and business loan relief for up to three months. The bank is also offering discounted interest rates on new personal loans from existing customers, a waiver of interest rate reduction for early withdrawals on term deposits prior to maturity, no 'loan break' costs for customers with a fixed rate who use an insurance payment to pay out their loan, and a waiver of merchant rental fees for businesses.
Click here for more information
Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank are offering a range of measures, including payment arrangements for home loans, credit cards and some business loans. Temporary overdrafts are available for some.
Click here for more information
Suncorp
Suncorp are offering assistance on a case by case basis, and can assist businesses by deferring loan repayments, extending loan contact periods or reducing the amount of repayments, refunding merchant rental fees for the relief period or rearranging business loans without the bank fees.
Click here for more information
Macquarie Bank
Macquarie is offering a range of solutions tailored to individual needs. Support measures can include temporary repayment arrangements for home loans credit cards and car loans; review of loan terms for business banking; waiver of fees or restrictions on products; and emergency assistance for clients with urgent needs. Click here for more information from Macquarie Bank.
Click here for more information
NAB
NAB has offered a $1,000 grant to its customers and colleagues, to cover costs such as temporary accommodation, food and clothing. $1,000 business grants have also been made available. There are a range of other possible measures on offer, including credit card and personal loan relief, waiving the establishment fee for restructuring business facilities, concessional loans to customers seeking support to restructure existing facilities to assist in repairs, restocking and re-opening for business and reducing and moratorium on home and personal loan repayments.
Click here for more information
Westpac
Westpac have introduced various emergency financial assistance measures, including home loan repayment deferrals of up to 3 months. They’re also offering a $2 million fund for small business customers – featuring cash grants of up to $3,000 per customer group. Bank establishment fees for loans can be waived for restructures of existing loans, and businesses with merchant facilities are eligible to receive assistance including monthly terminal access fee waivers for up to three months.
Click here for more information
