Today, we've announced a range of measures to support the financial wellbeing of our customers who are impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
In addition to our hardship packages that are already available, we'll be making available from today the following financial relief initiatives for some of our more vulnerable customers impacted by the pandemic.
We're supporting our small business customers with:
- A reduction of up to 1.00%p.a. for 12 months on their current variable rate business loans;
- More flexibility to restructure existing lending facilities to ensure the viability of their business;
- The ability to request up to 6 months repayment holiday on their current business loan with interest capitalised (reviewed 3 monthly).
We're supporting our home loan and personal loan customers with:
- The ability to request flexible repayment options on their current home or personal loan with interest capitalised subject to individual circumstance.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Scott Morgan said that the health and wellbeing of customers and employees is paramount and the business is committed more than ever to support its people, communities and businesses to get through this period of uncertainty.
“There is no doubt that we are experiencing unprecedented times due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that a number of our customers have already been impacted and there will be more who will face hardships as the full effects are felt,” Mr Morgan said.
“Over the last few weeks, we have proactively implemented a range of protocols for our employees such as social distancing practices and self-isolation as directed by the Australian Government and health authority advice.
“Across our 59 branches throughout NSW and South East Queensland we’ve implemented more frequent cleaning of branches and common touchpoints like ATMs, and will also be providing hand sanitiser that we encourage our customers to use before entering,” Mr Morgan said.
Our Contact Centre remains open, with staff being redeployed across a range of locations to ensure we'll be able to continue to provide this service and minimise the risk to employees.
For any of our customers that need to self-isolate or simply prefer to bank from home during this period, you can still access a wide range of transactional services via our Online Banking and Mobile App.
“As one of the largest customer-owned banks in Australia, we have long lived by the principle of supporting the people and communities that support us and our customers will continue to be at the heart of all decision making.