ABA AND MEMBER BANKS HAVE STRATEGIES IN PLACE TO ENCOURAGE OLDER AUSTRALIANS TO ADOPT ELECTRONIC BANKING Sydney, 30 January, 2002: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) has a number of initiatives underway aimed at addressing concerns about better access to banking facilities for older people and people with disabilities. These initiatives are:  Lodgement of a Disability Action Plan with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to overcome access barriers to electronic banking; Seminars presented by the industry and individual banks to seniors’ groups explaining electronic banking; Continuing liaison with police, governments and bank security staff on safety issues affecting all bank customers, including the elderly. In response to the media release from the Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants Association (APSA), David Bell, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “The ABA is disappointed that the Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ Federation seem to be ignoring some of the important initiatives which the industry and its member banks have already put in place.” “The ABA representatives from member banks, other financial institutions, community groups and retailers have developed draft Industry Standards for Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale (EFTPOS), Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), Automated Telephone Banking, and Internet Banking, ” Mr Bell said. “The writing of these standards is the industry’s response to the recommendations raised by the HREOC report (June 1999): "Accessibility of Electronic Commerce and New Service and Information Technologies for Older Australians and People with a Disability”. Mr Bell said the APSF’s submission will be considered along with all the other community groups which contributed in the consultation period which is due to close on January 31. The standards will also need to be ratified by the Accessible E commerce Forum, Chaired by HREOC, as a requirement of the Industry Action Plan. “In terms of encouraging all older Australians to take up electronic banking, not just older women, the industry runs a program called ‘Self Service Banking and Older Australians’ in which a bank employee explains the benefits of electronic banking – the convenience, cost savings and how to best use the technology.” “We encourage any community group who would like to book a speaker to freecall: 1800 633 855. “In addition, individual banks also run their own programs to encourage older Australians to adopt electronic banking.” “There is no doubt that some older people prefer face to face banking and there are a number of ways this can be accessed through branches, agencies and Australia Post through its GiroPost service.” Mr Bell said concerns of the elderly about using ATMs are being addressed in forums with member banks, state Governments and police. “Customer safety and crime prevention are the key considerations when siting ATMs. ATMs are usually located in well-lit areas that are highly visible to passing traffic. “Incidence of robberies at ATMs is very low, but wherever there is cash it pays to be careful.” “If any older Australian has concerns about using an ATM, I would advise the customer to use other means to gain access to cash, for example, EFTPOS can be used to withdraw cash at many other places, like supermarkets and service stations.”  ****************************************************************** Background for Editors: The role of the Accessible E commerce Forum is to identify partnerships and strategies to address the recommendations in the HREOC report (June 1999) "Accessibility of Electronic Commerce and New Service and Information Technologies for Older Australians and People with a Disability." The main driver of the Industry Action Plan is the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which requires all businesses to provide facilities that can be accessed by people with disabilities. The DDA means that there is no need or case for the industry itself to self-regulate for the adoption of the Standards and Protocols. It will be up to individual banks to make their own assessments as to whether they are meeting the requirements of the DDA and use the Industry Standards and Protocols to assist in this task. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 3.2 million Australians, or 18.4% of the population have some type of disability. 14% of the Australian population have a handicap resulting from their disability. Approximately 50% of the Australian population over 60 years have a disability. For further information contact: Heather Wellard ABA PR Phone: 02 8298 0411 Mobile: 0409 830 439 ENDS