2006

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2006

Joint Media Release Warning to Internet Users About Hoax E-Mail

Sydney, 18 December, 2006: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) are warning the public of a hoax e-mail scam that is targeting Internet users.

Bank customers urged to speak to banks before making international payments to Europe and UK

Sydney, 18 December 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) advises anyone who is conducting international money transfers from January 1, 2007, to businesses, friends or relatives in Europe, including the UK, should contact their bank.

Banking sector implementation to start on new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing legislation

Sydney, 8 December, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomed yesterday’s passage of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Bill through Parliament.

Joint Media Release - Tis the Season of Christmas Scams - New campaign to protect against identity theft

Sydney, 7 December, 2006: Banks, police and a regulator have come together to fight identity theft and help Australians protect their financial identities with the launch of a new website.

Credit cards and spending over Christmas

Sydney, 4 December, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) says that in the lead up to Christmas it is always sensible to give consideration to your financial situation and understand that any increased balances on your credit card will either need to be repaid or will accumulate. Completing a budget and understanding your financial situation is an important step in having a good Christmas.

Accessibility of electronic banking - Australian Bankers Association calls for submissions on draft Principles for Accessible Authentication

Sydney, 4 December, 2006: Organisations and individuals with an interest in web accessibility and security can make a submission to the Consultation Draft Guiding Principles for Accessible Authentication issued today by the Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA).

Joint Media Release - Financing Your Farm - new book for the rural community

Canberra, 22 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) and the Grain Growers Association (GGA) have produced a new book for the farming community ‘Financing Your Farm – A Practical Guide to Financial Growth.’

ABA welcomes Proposals Paper on Corporate and Financial Services Regulation Review

Sydney, 16 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) has welcomed the Corporate and Financial Services Regulation Review Proposals Paper launched today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon. Chris Pearce.

Positive results for Australian Bankers Association member banks based on Ombudsmans annual report

Sydney, 13 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association’s (ABA) analysis of the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman (BFSO) annual report 2005-06 shows positive results for ABA member banks.

Australian Payments Clearing Association: Payments Systems Fraud Statistics

Sydney, 10 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) said banks work diligently to protect their customers from fraud.

Bank branches up 7.5% over last five years

Sydney, 9 November, 2006: Banks have increased their branch levels every year for the past five years, according to a survey released by the Australia Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Retirement and Investment Plans of Australians Rely on Strong Banks

Sydney, 3 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) says now that the bank reporting period is coming to an end, it is important that all bank customers, shareholders and the wider community understand important facts about bank profits.

ABA will continue consultation on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism legislation and rules

Sydney, 3 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the introduction into Parliament of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Bill and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill.

Joint Media Release - Consumer Guide to Smarter Insurance released

Sydney, 3 November, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA), the Insurance Council of Australia and the Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA) have today launched a plain English financial literacy booklet about insurance for consumers.

Reserve Banks EFTPOS interchange rules start today

Sydney, 1 November, 2006: The Reserve Bank of Australia’s new rules on EFTPOS interchange today take effect.

Australian Bankers Association Small Business Forum - Project update and new participants sought

Sydney, 27 October, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is seeking around eight more small business owners to participate in its Small Business Forum.

Stay Safe Online ABA supports the E-Security awareness week

Sydney, 23 October, 2006: The banking industry will continue to provide security information to consumers regarding online fraud prevention as part of the National E-Security Awareness week.

Joint Media Release - Payments Technology

Sydney, 13 October, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) and Australian Payments Clearing Association (APCA) are releasing today the joint letter that was sent to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration.

Banks continue to assist rural communities on drought management

Sydney, 12 October, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) said the banking sector recognises the seriousness of this drought and will continue supporting viable farmers.

Customer Confidentiality

Sydney, 9 October, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) says, in response to news reports today, that confidentiality of bank customer information is paramount and is treated with great care by financial institutions.

Cancelling Direct Debits

Sydney, 29 September, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) would like to help bank customers who have direct debit arrangements with Internet service provider, Veridas Communications, understand what they can do about their Direct Debit Requests that they have provided to the company for payment of Internet services.

Victorian Government Response to Credit Review

Sydney, 28 September, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) said the Victorian Government has taken a sensible approach in its response to issues related to consumer credit.

Australian Bankers Association response to Report on the Australian Mortgage Industry

Sydney, 28 September, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) says the official data shows bank housing lending defaults are at very low levels and that while changes have occurred in the housing finance market, bank credit standards remain sound

The Australian Bankers Association says all credit card providers should adopt its proposed principles on credit card lending

Sydney, 19 September, 2006: The banking industry has shown leadership in proposing best practice principles on credit card lending practices which indicate how banks will decide whether to approach a customer to offer a credit card limit increase.

Joint Media Release - Warning to Internet Users About Hoax Email

Sydney, 12 September, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) and News Limited are warning the public of a hoax email scam which is targeting Internet users.

Australian Bankers Association welcomes the Federal Governments simplification of our superannuation system

Sydney, 6 September, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the Federal Government’s action to simplify and streamline Australia’s superannuation system.

Electronic conveyancing - retail banks to participate in limited pilot

Sydney, 22 August, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) member retail banks will be participating in the first stage of a limited pilot of a Victorian electronic property conveyancing system.

Cutting red tape and improving regulatory processes ABA welcomes the Federal Governments response on ‘Rethinking Regulation

Sydney, 16 August, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the Federal Government’s final response on ‘Rethinking Regulation: Report of the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burdens on Business.’

ABA welcomes roundtable consultations on Financial Services Reform red tape reductions

Sydney, 14 August, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is pleased the Federal Government is moving quickly to implement refinements to the Financial Services Reform Act (FSRA) which will result in a better customer experience.

ABA submission on Governments plan to simplify and streamline superannuation

Sydney, 10 August, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) said the proposed changes to the superannuation system should improve adequacy of retirement incomes, reduce complexity, foster competition across the financial services industry and increase flexibility so that Australians can choose savings and investment products that meet their changing needs.

Banking Industry welcomes the Federal Governments Media Campaign on Financial Literacy

Sydney, 27 July, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the Federal Government’s national media campaign on financial literacy.

ABA will continue consultation on the implementation period for the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Bill

Sydney, 13 July, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes today’s release of the new drafts of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Bill and Rules by the Federal Government.

ABA Commends ASIC on its Business Consultative Panel Initiative

Sydney, 10 July, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomed the recent announcement by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) of the establishment of its Business Consultative Panel comprising senior business leaders.

Banks support ASICs education campaign on book up

Sydney, 7 July, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is supporting the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) education campaign to improve book up practices in regional and remote communities.

ATM Robberies and Ram Raids - Banks Offer $50,000 Reward for Information on Criminals

Sydney, 30 June, 2006: Banks are offering a reward of $50 000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of criminals who commit ATM robberies and ram raids.

Australian Banks Learn About Best Practice Financial Literacy Programs From Around The World - ABAs Financial Literacy Symposium

Sydney, 28 June, 2006: Dr David Morgan, Chairman of the Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA), said one of the sustainability priorities for the nation which banks can most affect is improving financial literacy levels.

ABA welcomes Corporate Responsibility report

Sydney, 22 June, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the report ‘Corporate Responsibility: Managing Risk and Creating Value’ by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services.

Customer choosing lower fee banking options – report

Sydney, 18 May, 2006: The average price of banking in Australia is falling according to a new report by Macquarie University academic, Dr Kim Hawtrey.

Australian Bankers Association welcomes Federal Governments plan to simplify and streamline superannuation

Sydney, 9 May, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the Federal Treasurer’s announcement in tonight’s Budget that the Government plans to simplify and streamline superannuation.

ABA Welcomes ASICs Better Regulation Initiatives

Sydney, 5 May, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the release of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) paper – ‘Better Regulation’ initiatives.

Joint Media Release - Smarter Money - Take Control and Stay On Top of Your Finances

Sydney, 28 April, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) and Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service have today launched a new free financial literacy publication ‘Smarter Money: Take control and stay on top of your finances’.

Fall in prices for bank deposits and loans - CPI data

Sydney, 26 April, 2006: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released today showed there was a fall in the cost of key banking products.

ABA welcomes the Federal Governments rethinking about regulation

Sydney, 13 April, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) welcomes the public release of the report of the Regulation Taskforce, which was established jointly by the Prime Minister and Treasurer in October last year, and chaired by the Chairman of the Productivity Commission, Gary Banks.

ABA calls on the Australian Consumers Association to retract incorrect information on bank fees

Sydney, 7 April, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is asking the Australian Consumers’ Association (ACA) to explain its conduct in relation to the publication of its media release entitled ‘A new low in bank fees - $2 for nothing.’

Loan Repayments to be Suspended for Three Months Under Banks Disaster Relief Packages for Cyclone Larry

Sydney, 28 March, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) said that retail banks with customers adversely affected by Cyclone Larry have already agreed to suspend repayments on loans for three months.

Banking Sector to Assist Government and Regulator to Improve Book Up Practices

Sydney, 23 March, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) supports the initiatives by the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to improve the practice of ‘book up’ in regional communities.

Banking sector urges Lake Grace farmers experiencing difficulties to contact their bank

Sydney, 13 March, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is encouraging farmers worried about the impact of drought and other extreme weather conditions to seek Exceptional Circumstances assistance from the Federal Government and their bank.

ABA responds to the Victorian Consumer Credit Review proposals

Sydney, 2 March, 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) will be providing its views to the Victorian Government on the options proposed in “The Report of the Consumer Credit Review”.

Banking industry to provide customers important information on avoiding scams

Sydney, 27 January 2006: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) says bank customers are not paying excessive fees for bank transactions and, in fact, the official figures show fees collected from bank customers are aligned with growth in volume of business.

Bank Fees & ATM's