6-month loan assessments begin as Australians resume loan repayments

Australia’s banks supported their customers as the country entered the COVID-19 pandemic and they continue to support them on the way out.  

As the initial wave of 6-month loan payment deferrals come to an end, banks have begun to contact customers for their 6-month assessment and to discuss the next stage of support and assistance.

Of the more than 900,000 loans which have been deferred across the pandemic, at least 450,000 loan deferral customers will be assessed in coming weeks as they approach the end of their deferral in September and October. 

These include 105,000 business loan deferrals to small and medium businesses, of which 65,000 will be assessed by the end of September, and 40,000 by the end of October. 260,000 mortgages are also due to be assessed, 80,000 by end of September and 180,000 by end of October.

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said, “The loan deferral measure offered to customers by Australia’s banks has led to the largest ever customer contact process in the industry’s history, with an additional 5000 new or redeployed staff working to ensure customers understand their options”

The next steps presented to customers during these assessment calls will include: 

• Those who can resume repayments at the end of their deferral, will be required to do so 
• Those still in difficulty, will work with their bank to restructure or vary their loan, including converting to interest only payments for a period of time, or extending the term of the loan 

• Following the assessment once the bank understands the customers circumstances, in some cases, a further 4-month deferral may be granted, but this will not be automatic  
• Customers who will be unable to pay their loan over the longer term will be offered tailored assistance that addresses their needs 

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said, “Customers know what’s best for them. It’s the bank’s job to set out all the options and implications and ensure customers have the information and the time to make the right decision to suit their needs.” 

Of the 900,000 loans that have had payments deferred, 13% had already resumed repayments by the end of July.  Some banks have estimated that an additional 100,000 people began resuming payments in the month of August.  Ms Bligh continued, “As customers who are able to begin their repayments again, it allows banks to focus their support on those who really need it.”