As our communities continue to feel the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we're more committed than ever to the personal and financial wellbeing of our customers.
We've announced a range of relief packages designed to help support our customers impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
We'll also regularly update this page with the latest advice and guidance as it comes to light.
We’re taking steps to minimise the risk of exposure in our local communities by:
We're increasing the frequency of cleaning and sanitisation in our branches and of our ATMs, as well as providing hand sanitiser in branch
Conducting appointments over the phone rather than face-to-face where possible
To keep you and our employees safe, we're limiting the number of customers in-branch and complying with social distancing guidelines.
Contactless payment limits have been increased from $100 to $200
Greater Bank has confirmed that it will, on a case by case basis, offer to extend loan repayment deferral arrangements for customers impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Read MoreIf you've been impacted by coronavirus and are finding it hard to make repayments, please complete our hardship form via the link below. Once we receive your details, we will follow up with a phone call. Our support team are working to review all requests quickly, however, we have experienced an increase in the number of enquiries we are receiving at the moment, and wait times may be longer than usual.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are supporting our customers by offering flexible repayment options on your current loan with interest capitalised on a case-by-case basis. This may include:
Supporting the communities that support us is something we’ve long lived by. It’s part of our DNA and during these unprecedented and challenging times, it has become more important than ever.
Which is why we have created the Together Greater portal to give you, our customers, access to an online space designed to help you stay connected, informed and entertained while staying at home.
The hub offers a range of tools, resources and activities, focusing on the four lifestyle pillars of Education, Nutrition, Mental Health and Physical Health.
We have joined forces with the Greater Charitable Foundation and have collaborated with our community partners to provide you with a unique offering. From training and exercise drills provided by Hunter netball star and founder of the ASPIRE netball program, Sam Poolman; to educational tools that form part of Greater Bank’s financial literacy program, we’ve got your home stay covered.
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 the following financial relief initiatives for some of our more vulnerable customers impacted by the pandemic.
On 21 July, the Australian Government announced it will extend JobKeeper payments until 28 March 2021. These however are being reduced – twice. Job Keeper is also going to be split into two tiers, one for full time and one for part time workers. From the end of September 2020, the fortnightly payment for full time workers is decreasing from $1,500 to $1,200. From January 4, 2021 that will drop again from $1,200 to $1,000 a fortnight. For people working fewer than 20 hours a week in February this year, or ‘pre-COVID-19’ your payment will drop from $1,500 to $750 per fortnight after September 2020. At the beginning of 2021, it will be reduced again to $650 a fortnight. Casual workers will continue to receive payments depending on how many hours they were working. For more information on the JobKeeper payments and how it might affect you, please visit the ATO website.
The JobSeeker supplement has also been extended until December 2020, but reduced. The $550 supplement is being cut after September to $250 a fortnight, meaning the total payment will go from $1,115 to $815. But, from the end of September 2020, you can now earn $300 a fortnight, instead of the previous $106, before your JobSeeker payment is affected.
If you are still experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 you are able to apply for further relief via our website. Simply complete our online hardship relief form and one of our team will get in contact with you. Or to better understand options available to you, please contact our friendly team on 1300 653 679 or by emailing relief@greater.com.au
Financial arrangements made with Greater Bank as a result of COVID-19 will not affect your credit rating. All loan applications are assessed individually at the time to determine whether we are able to assist. For more information about how your super can affect your credit rating, it is best to speak directly with your financial advisor or accountant. More information is also available on the Credit Smart website here.
Customers are able to change their fixed rates, however break fees will apply and cannot be waived due to COVID-19. We know many of our customers are experiencing unexpected difficulties as a result of COVID-19. If you’re struggling to make repayments on a Greater Bank product, we may be able to help you. To understand options available to you, please contact our friendly team on 1300 653 679 or by emailing relief@greater.com.au
The best way for customers to set up or recommence repayments is through online banking. Repayments are due by the last day of the month and customers can elect to make repayments weekly, fortnightly or monthly. If you need help setting up your payments or to confirm your repayment amounts, please contact our friendly team on 1300 653 679.
Yes, they are! The entire Greater Bank branch network operating hours are outlined below
Please be aware, we'll still be asking all customers to maintain appropriate social distancing while in branch, and we'll be placing limits on the amount of customers we can welcome into branch at any one time. We appreciate your co-operation in this regard.
We know many of our customers are experiencing unexpected difficulties as a result of COVID-19. If you’re struggling to make repayments on a Greater Bank product, we may be able to help you. To understand options available to you, please contact our friendly team on 1300 653 679 or relief@greater.com.au
Customers can obtain statements back to July 2010 via Internet Banking. If you receive monthly statements, these will be uploaded up to the end of March 2020. If you receive six-monthly statements, these will be up to the end of December 2019. Customers can access a Transaction Statement Summary on Greater Bank letterhead by logging into Internet Banking, selecting the ‘Transactions’ tab, then following the link to login to Mobile Banking. Once logged in, select the relevant account then print the page as a PDF. If you do not use Internet Banking, please contact us on 1300 179 979.
The Australian government will confirm your eligibility for each payment. For those who are eligible, the first payment will be made from 31 March 2020, with over 90 percent of these payments expected to be received by mid-April, and the second payment will be made from 13 July 2020. Both payments will be paid into your nominated myGov account. For more information and to check if you’re eligible, visit the Treasury website or view the payments to support households factsheet.
Transaction fees will still apply to your Greater Bank account as usual.
Greater Bank are making it easier than ever to access your banking from home through Internet Banking, the Greater Bank app and phone banking. These options are all safe, secure and allow you to bank and manage your money online. Give us a call on 1300 179 979 to register for any of these services.
Greater Bank is waiving interest and allowing the deferral of repayment on all existing credit cards for 6 months from 1 April 2020
If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus, you may be eligible to access financial support from the government. Here we highlight just two of the economic support programs that may benefit your business.
To support our customers who have suffered a loss of income or employment due to COVID-19, Greater Bank has a range of relief packages available. Simply complete our online hardship relief form and one of our team will get in contact with you.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are supporting our customers by offering flexible repayment options on your current loan with interest capitalised on a case-by-case basis.
To discuss these or other repayment options available to you complete our hardship relief enquiry form or contact our friendly team on 1300 653 679.
Yes, whilst repayments are not required during the pause period, interest charges will continue to apply. You are still able to make any repayments you can during the pause period.
Yes, interest will continue to accrue which will affect the loan balance.
No, we can help home loan customers with both variable and fixed home loans.
If the COVID-19 crisis has caused your tenant to be unable to make rental payments and you are unable to make your monthly repayments, we may be able to assist you with a 3 month pause on repayments on your Investment loan.
At the end of the pause period, you will recommence making your normal monthly repayment. If your loan balance has increased due to interest charges we will factor in that amount next time we make a change to your repayments to ensure you pay your loan off in the remaining term.
We recognise that these are unprecedented times, and your credit report will not be impacted due to the arrangements put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more helpful information about credit scores please visit https://www.creditsmart.org.au/covid-19-what-does-it-mean-for-my-finances-and-my-credit-health/
The first step for customers in this position is to refer to their Booking Terms & Conditions. Customers will need to contact the merchant directly to try and resolve. Greater Bank are unable to assist with this situation at present, however we recommend you contact us once your flight date has lapsed.
Online Banking
Online Banking is a means for our customers to manage their money via an internet-connected device. Regardless of whether you’re using a PC or laptop, tablet or a smartphone, Greater Bank offers a range of solutions which allow you to access a secure online environment to transact with your money.
Within Online Banking, you’ll be able to use our full suite of features and services. Check your account balance, pay a bill using BPAY, view interest earned, lock a misplaced card, check your balance in seconds with our Quick Balance feature, log in securely with fingerprint or facial recognition, share your transaction receipts and account details easily - the list goes on.
We use some of the most up-to-date security features available on our Internet Banking site such as 128-bit encryption and one-time passwords for new payees, new billers and for new transactions over the daily threshold. A reference number is also provided as a receipt of each financial transaction you perform.
Visa Cards
As an alternative to passbooks, many of our accounts have the option of a Visa Debit card that gives you access to your money 24 hours a day anywhere in the world! The Visa global ATM network offers unsurpassed global access to over 2 million ATMs in more than 200 countries and territories. You can also use your Visa Debit card for online shopping.
ATM/EFTPOS
You can access your money at any Greater Bank or major bank ATM throughout Australia. Use our ATM Locator on our website or within Internet Banking and the Mobile App, to find your nearest one. You can withdraw up to $1,500 cash per day via EFTPOS or at an ATM with your Visa Debit card.
Find your closest ATM
Statements
As an alternate to Passbooks, statements can give you a detailed list of all transactions including your account balance. These will be mailed or emailed to you. You can also view and download within internet and mobile banking.
Phone Banking
If you’re after a fast and simple way to do most of your day-to-day banking, our Phone Banking service may be just what you’re looking for. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no transaction fees. You can keep on top of your finances by accessing real time balances and the last ten transactions on your accounts as well as transfer money between your accounts and pay bills using BPAY.
In an unprecedented time of change and anxiety, Greater Bank CEO Scott Morgan sits down with us to walk through the ways in which Greater Bank has pivoted to ensure that the personal and financial wellbeing of customers remains our number one priority.
In this time of crisis and uncertainty, we’re all looking for a bit of good news. Together, Not Alone is an initiative of our creative partners at Out of the Square to help deliver some positivity across Newcastle, the Hunter Region and beyond. Through highlighting individuals and businesses who are adapting and evolving during this time, we hope to bring inspiration and practical advice to our customers.
We’re proud to support this initiative, in partnership with the Newcastle Herald, to deliver these stories over the coming weeks and months.
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