FOLLOW US
Follow us!
We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, tips, tricks, resources and information.
No Credit Check
No Credit Check :: News
Quick Links: | Personal Loans | Car Loans | Bike Loans | Boat Loans | Truck Loans | Home Loans | Business Loans | Debt Consolidation
Banks Set for Major Refunds to Assist Struggling Customers
Banks Set for Major Refunds to Assist Struggling Customers
In a groundbreaking move, four prominent Australian banks are poised to return nearly $30 million to their low-income customers.
This significant refund follows an in-depth review by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
This latest financial shake-up highlights how ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank have been charging excessive fees on accounts held by financially vulnerable customers. The ASIC findings revealed that these charges impacted around two million low-income Australians who were already struggling to make ends meet.
This revelation from ASIC puts a spotlight on the practices of major financial institutions and their handling of customer fees. Rather than offering support, these banks have been systematically profiting off those who can least afford it.
Jane Smith, head of customer relations at Consumer Advocacy Group, remarked on the critical nature of the refunds. "This reimbursement is not just monetary; it's about restoring trust. Customers deserve fairness from their banks, which includes not taking advantage of their financial status."
Importantly, this review by ASIC prompts a broader conversation about banking practices and financial equity. Are banks committed to adapting their policies to better serve low-income customers in the future, or is this a one-time restitution?
There are some steps that customers can take following this review to ensure they are not being unduly charged by their banks:
- Review Account Statements: Regularly examine your bank statements for unexpected or hidden fees.
- Inquire About Low-Fee Accounts: Ask your bank if they offer accounts with lower fees tailored to your financial situation.
- Financial Counseling: Seek professional advice for managing and minimizing banking costs from reputable financial counselors.
For regulatory bodies like ASIC, this incident reinforces the importance of their oversight in ensuring fair banking practices. It also sends a clear message to banks that customer welfare should always be their top priority.
As these banks proceed with issuing the refunds, it remains to be seen how they will rectify these practices moving forward. The need for more stringent regulations and scrutiny is evident, and it's essential for both customers and watchdogs to maintain vigilance.
This article echoes insights from an original piece published by The West Australian, featuring the in-depth findings of Cheyanne Enciso.
Published:Monday, 15th Jul 2024
Source: Paige Estritori
Share this news item:
Finance News
| Contactless Revolution: The Decline of Cash Among Tradies 07 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori Australia is embracing a cashless economy, a trend that is significantly reshaping how tradespeople, or 'tradies,' handle transactions in their day-to-day operations. - read more |
| RBA Remains Cautious Despite Economic Slowdown 06 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori Borrowers expecting a reduction in interest rates due to sluggish economic growth might have to wait longer, as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) prioritizes inflation management. - read more |
| NSW Cracks Down on Abuse of First-Home Buyer Benefits 02 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori More than $9 million has been reclaimed in a concerted effort by Revenue NSW to ensure the first-home buyers program remains fair and effective. This initiative comes in response to a small group of applicants attempting to exploit the system meant to aid genuine first-time homebuyers. - read more |
| Retail Sector Braces for Tough Holiday Season 01 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori As Australians continue to face a challenging cost of living crisis, economic analysts have prepared retailers for a rocky road ahead as the Christmas season approaches. - read more |
| Stamp Duty Ruse Exposed: Hundreds of Aussie Homeowners Face Repercussions 01 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori Australia’s property market has witnessed a crackdown on homeowners exploiting a government initiative designed to ease the financial burden for first-time buyers. The scheme, intended to provide stamp duty relief, has seen numerous participants bending the rules to save money. - read more |
| Banks Under Scrutiny: Transparency and Fairness in the Spotlight 29 Aug 2024: Paige Estritori The Treasurer has made a strong call for transparency as executives from Australia's leading banks gear up for a rigorous parliamentary inquiry. - read more |
| Inflation Eases Amid Energy Subsidies: Mixed Reactions Prevail 29 Aug 2024: Paige Estritori Homeowners may find a glimmer of hope as inflation eased to 3.5% in July, revealing a slight dip from June's 3.8%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures. Despite the improvement, discussions around the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) stance on the cash rate remain skeptical. - read more |
| JPMorgan Halts Sustainable Fund Amid Market Hesitance 28 Aug 2024: Paige Estritori In a resounding signal of the challenges faced by ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) products, JPMorgan announced its decision to terminate the JPMorgan Sustainable Infrastructure Fund. The termination is scheduled to take effect from 29 August. - read more |
| CommBank Unveils Rate Reductions Amid Competitive Landscape 25 Aug 2024: Paige Estritori As major lenders continue to navigate a challenging financial environment, Commonwealth Bank has announced significant reductions in both fixed and variable rates, following a trend set by institutions such as Westpac and NAB. - read more |
| New Protocol Enhances Oversight in Mortgage Broking 24 Aug 2024: Paige Estritori The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has expanded its reference checking protocol in a move poised to reshape the mortgage broking landscape. The new amendments aim to align mortgage brokers further with the standards applied to financial advisers. - read more |
Finance Articles
| Loan Hunting with Confidence: How to Check Options Without Credit Damage Embarking on the journey to secure a loan can feel like navigating a minefield with your credit score as the prize. It's no secret that your credit score is your financial fingerprint, impacting not just your loan prospects but also the terms you're offered. However, the act of loan hunting itself, if not done carefully, can take a toll on this crucial number. - read more
|
| Choosing the Right Loan for Your Personal Needs in Australia Choosing the right loan can be a pivotal decision in your personal financial journey. In Australia, where a diverse range of loan options is available, selecting the loan that aligns perfectly with your needs is more crucial than ever. A judicious choice can help you fulfill your dreams—be it buying a new home, investing in education, or consolidating debt—while ensuring that the repayments remain manageable and do not lead to financial strain. - read more
|
| How to Use Loan Comparison Tools Effectively - A Guide for the Credit-Conscious When it comes to securing a loan, the terms you agree to can have a lasting impact on your financial wellness. It's crucial to strike a balance between finding a loan that fits your needs and maintaining a healthy credit score. This delicate equilibrium is where loan comparison tools come into play, serving as navigational aids in the vast sea of credit options. - read more
|
| Understanding Your Credit Footprint: Borrowing Strategies to Keep Your Score Intact Understanding the mechanics behind credit scores is pivotal for anyone navigating the intricate world of finance. A strong credit score does not only unlock the gates to a plethora of borrowing options but also secures favorable interest rates, which can save you a substantial amount of money over time. It acts as a financial passport, one that enables you to achieve milestones such as purchasing a home or car with ease. - read more
|
| Understanding Your Credit File: How to Seek Loans without Negative Impacts Understanding financial health is paramount when venturing into the realm of loan acquisition. It's the backbone that supports not just your immediate monetary requirements but ensures longevity in your fiscal stability. At the heart of this understanding lies a critical aspect: the credit score. It's a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness, influenced by past fiscal decisions and behaviors. - read more
|
| Understanding Soft Credit Checks: Safeguard Your Score During Loan Comparison When embarking on the journey to secure financing, particularly for significant purchases such as a car, your credit score takes center stage in the eyes of lenders. A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, derived from your financial history and behaviors. It wields substantial influence on your ability to acquire loans with favorable terms. - read more
|
| Savvy Spending: Innovative Budgeting Tips for Smooth Loan Repayments Managing personal finances judiciously becomes paramount when dealing with loans and their repayments. A potential obstacle many encounter is preserving or enhancing their credit score while simultaneously undertaking the necessary financial commitments of loan repayments. Understanding how to navigate this terrain is vital to financial health. - read more
|
| Maximize Your Loan Options without a Credit Footprint: Strategies to Know As we navigate the complexities of today's economy, the significance of credit can scarcely be overstated. Whether we're considering a home mortgage, a new car, or managing our personal finances, our credit health often dictates the terms and accessibility of financial support. A robust credit score can open doors to favorable loan terms and rates, while a poor score can narrow our options and cost us more in the long run. - read more
|
| Navigating Financial Uncertainty: Tips for Managing Money Worries Financial stress is a common issue that affects a large portion of individuals, often due to unexpected expenses, unemployment, or a high cost of living. It can lead to both mental and emotional strain, influencing one's quality of life and decision-making abilities. Credit scores, a critical measurement of financial health, are used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money. - read more
|
| Budgeting Basics to Keep Your Credit Score Healthy While Seeking a Loan Understanding the nuances of financial health is a crucial component in the journey of loan acquisition. It is the bedrock on which potential borrowers build their case for credibility and reliability. Among the myriad of factors influencing your fiscal stability, credit scores stand out as a beacon indicating your creditworthiness to lenders. A robust credit score simplifies the path to securing loans, garnering favorable interest rates, and negotiating better terms. - read more
|
|
|
Choosing the Right Loan for Your Personal Needs in Australia Choosing the right loan can be a pivotal decision in your personal financial journey. In Australia, where a diverse range of loan options is available, selecting the loan that aligns perfectly with your needs is more crucial than ever. A judicious choice can help you fulfill your dreams—be it buying a new home, investing in education, or consolidating debt—while ensuring that the repayments remain manageable and do not lead to financial strain. - read more
|
|
|
Understanding Your Credit Footprint: Borrowing Strategies to Keep Your Score Intact Understanding the mechanics behind credit scores is pivotal for anyone navigating the intricate world of finance. A strong credit score does not only unlock the gates to a plethora of borrowing options but also secures favorable interest rates, which can save you a substantial amount of money over time. It acts as a financial passport, one that enables you to achieve milestones such as purchasing a home or car with ease. - read more
|
|
|
Understanding Your Credit File: How to Seek Loans without Negative Impacts Understanding financial health is paramount when venturing into the realm of loan acquisition. It's the backbone that supports not just your immediate monetary requirements but ensures longevity in your fiscal stability. At the heart of this understanding lies a critical aspect: the credit score. It's a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness, influenced by past fiscal decisions and behaviors. - read more
|
|
|
Maximize Your Loan Options without a Credit Footprint: Strategies to Know As we navigate the complexities of today's economy, the significance of credit can scarcely be overstated. Whether we're considering a home mortgage, a new car, or managing our personal finances, our credit health often dictates the terms and accessibility of financial support. A robust credit score can open doors to favorable loan terms and rates, while a poor score can narrow our options and cost us more in the long run. - read more
|
|
|
Understanding Soft Credit Checks: Safeguard Your Score During Loan Comparison When embarking on the journey to secure financing, particularly for significant purchases such as a car, your credit score takes center stage in the eyes of lenders. A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, derived from your financial history and behaviors. It wields substantial influence on your ability to acquire loans with favorable terms. - read more
|
|
|
Navigating Financial Uncertainty: Tips for Managing Money Worries Financial stress is a common issue that affects a large portion of individuals, often due to unexpected expenses, unemployment, or a high cost of living. It can lead to both mental and emotional strain, influencing one's quality of life and decision-making abilities. Credit scores, a critical measurement of financial health, are used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money. - read more
|
|
|
Loan Hunting with Confidence: How to Check Options Without Credit Damage Embarking on the journey to secure a loan can feel like navigating a minefield with your credit score as the prize. It's no secret that your credit score is your financial fingerprint, impacting not just your loan prospects but also the terms you're offered. However, the act of loan hunting itself, if not done carefully, can take a toll on this crucial number. - read more
|
|
|
How to Use Loan Comparison Tools Effectively - A Guide for the Credit-Conscious When it comes to securing a loan, the terms you agree to can have a lasting impact on your financial wellness. It's crucial to strike a balance between finding a loan that fits your needs and maintaining a healthy credit score. This delicate equilibrium is where loan comparison tools come into play, serving as navigational aids in the vast sea of credit options. - read more
|
Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!
Knowledgebase
Debt Consolidation:
Debt consolidation usually involves negotiating a new loan to pay other existing loans in order to get more favourable interest rates and terms.
Debt consolidation usually involves negotiating a new loan to pay other existing loans in order to get more favourable interest rates and terms.
Quick Links: | Personal Loans | Car Loans | Bike Loans | Boat Loans | Truck Loans | Home Loans | Business Loans | Debt Consolidation