Media releases
Disaster support for customers in South East Queensland
3 January 2024
Businesses and households impacted by the ongoing severe weather in South East Queensland can access a range of support measures from Westpac to help with the recovery.
As well as offering tailored support through a disaster relief package, which includes loan deferrals for up to three months and emergency credit card relief, small business customers who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a $3,000 grant per customer group to help with urgent expenses and repairs.
“This has been a challenging holiday season for some customers, with homes and businesses impacted by the ongoing bad weather across the country,” said Mandy Rutherford, Managing Director, Cash & Transactional Banking at Westpac.
“We’re here to help, whether it’s in our branches, through our virtual banking centres, or via our small business recovery grants. We know the situation is continuing to develop in some parts of South East Queensland, but we want our customer to know we’re here to support their recovery,” continued Ms Rutherford.
Support available for affected customers:
Home loan customers can apply to defer repayments for up to three months.
Credit card customers can also apply to defer repayments to their card for up to 90 days, while customers experiencing hardship can be offered a halt on all interest accrual on unsecured credit products for a period of up to three months.
Term deposits customers can withdraw funds early without any interest rate reduction.
Business customers can apply to defer repayments for up to three months.
Business customers with existing loans can request loan restructuring without incurring the usual bank establishment fees.
Business customers with merchant facilities are eligible to receive assistance, including monthly terminal access fee refunds for up to three months.
To access financial assistance:
Westpac consumer customers can apply online at http://www.westpac.com.au/disasterrelief, or call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497. Business customers who need support can contact their Relationship Manager or call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497.
St.George consumer customers can apply online at http://www.stgeorge.com.au/disasterrelief, or call St.George Assist on 1800 629 795. Business customers who need support can contact their Relationship Manager or call St.George Assist on 1800 629 795.
Westpac’s Indigenous Call Centre Team is also available on 1800 230 144.
Flood grants eligibility criteria
Westpac’s flood grants are available for existing small business customers in South East Queensland and Far North Queensland who have experienced significant damage to, or destruction of, income-producing assets as a result of the floods, urgent expenses, clean-up and repair costs. This could include business premises, equipment, and loss of stock or livestock. There is one grant per customer group and this must be deposited into a Westpac or St.George bank account. The grants will be open for applications until 17:00 AEST on 19 January 2024 or until the fund is exhausted. Additional eligibility criteria apply.
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