The ABA works with its members on the development of industry standards and guidelines in a range of areas relating to market conduct and performance.  This self-regulatory approach has proven to be very effective, and has delivered substantial benefits to bank customers.

	ABA's Code of Banking Practice  The Code of Banking Practice is the banking industry's customer charter on best banking practice standards. The Code sets out the banking industry's key commitments and obligations to customers on standards of practice, disclosure and principles of conduct for their banking services. The Code applies to personal and small business bank customers
	Electronic Funds Transfer Code of Practice The Electronic Funds Transfer Code of Conduct is a voluntary code which protects consumers when transferring funds electronically. This Code covers all forms of electronic funds transfers, including ATM and EFTPOS transactions, telephone and internet banking, all credit card transactions (other than those intended to be authenticated by a manual signature), and stored value products such as smart cards, pre-paid telephone cards and digital cash. The EFT Code is administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
	ABA’s Guiding Principles for Accessible Authentication  Accessibility issues need to be considered in the deployment of authentication technologies, to ensure that people with disabilities and older people are not disadvantaged. Adoption of common standards by banks and other financial institutions in Australia will promote the confidence of customers using authentication technologies and improve the accessibility of retail banking and finance. The Guiding Principles have been developed to: Provide guidance to financial institutions adopting stronger authentication technologies as part of their banking services; Ensure that all customers of financial institutions operating in Australia, including people with disabilities and older people, are able to access and manage their finances independently, securely and effectively; Ensure that the access needs of people with disabilities and older people are considered in the deployment of authentication technologies; and Ensure that financial institutions are able to provide the best possible service to all customers. Choose a version to download: PDF Word Media Release
	ABA’s Indigenous Statement of Commitment The retail banking sector is supporting an industry Indigenous Statement of Commitment which outlines how banks may make a difference for Indigenous people and their communities. The ABA released this Statement of Commitment on May 27 2007, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum that acknowledged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australian citizens, by including them in the national census of the Australian population. The Indigenous Statement of Commitment which outlines how retail banking industry may make a difference for Indigenous people and their communities. The ABA and its retail member banks recognise that many Indigenous Australians face significant social, economic and financial disadvantage.
	ABA's Industry Standards on Accessibility of Electronic Banking The ABA has worked with the community to produce voluntary Industry Standards which aim to improve the accessibility of electronic banking.  The Industry Standards are important steps in helping overcome the digital divide and will assist individual banks develop or enhance their electronic banking services for older Australians and people with disabilities. The ABA, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and the Accessible E-Commerce Forum, worked with representatives from member banks, other financial institutions, community groups, suppliers and retailers to develop these Industry Standards
	ABA's Transaction Services & Branch Closure Protocol The Protocol has been adopted, committing the industry to providing rural and remote areas ongoing face-to-face banking services for personal and small business customers after branch closure. After a branch closes, banks are committing to maintain face-to-face services through an existing outlet, franchising arrangements with the community, agency arrangements with local businesses and Australia Post, and including in-store facilities.
	Sanctions: Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) Guidelines for the Financial Services Sector These guidelines are intended for Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) member banks. The guidelines are not legally binding. They aim to set out good industry practice for ABA members and their staff in relation to sanctions requirements.   Organisations that are not members of the ABA may have regard to these guidelines as industry good practice, particularly where their industry body has not issued specific guidelines to them on sanctions. These guidelines will have impact on operational areas, but it is expected that more detailed internal policies and guidance will be developed, specifically tailored to suit the needs of member banks, using these guidelines as a guide to good practice.