Key Issues Impacting Customers

Australia's customer owned banking sector has a long history of supporting its customers and communities in times of need. 

COVID-19

The customer owned banking sector has been serving Australians for more than a century and is in a strong position to cope with the disruption caused by COVID-19 and to continue to put customers first. 

Customers who need assistance due to the impact of COVID-19 on their financial situation should contact their banking institution. Links to some of the hardship provisions currently being offered are in the table below.

Debit cards for passbook account holders

Are you a passbook holder who visits the branch to withdraw and deposit cash? The current environment puts cash-reliant Australians, particularly elderly customers, at risk of being unable to access goods and services due to declining cash acceptance by retailers and the introduction of self-isolation rules by governments.

In response to this situation, ASIC is allowing banking institutions (which are members of either the Customer Owned Banking Association or the Banking Association of Australia) to fast-track the issuance of debit cards. To learn more, please contact your bank. 

COVID-19 updates, hardship information, and how to contact your customer owned institution

Customers who need assistance due to the impact of COVID-19 on their financial situation should contact their banking institution. Links to some of the hardship provisions currently being offered are in the table below.

Bushfire Response

Australia's customer owned banking sector has a long history of supporting its customers and communities in times of need. 

COBA members have offered a range of measures to assist customers that are impacted by the bushfires, many of which continue to burn. 

If you are impacted, please contact your banking institution once you're able to, to find out exactly how your credit union, mutual bank or building society can assist you.