As the rising cost of living places increasing pressure on Australian households, Bendigo Bank is reaffirming its commitment to supporting customers and communities through financial stress.
To help spread the message, the Bank has embarked on a new campaign focused on early intervention, ensuring customers receive the support they need to get back on track before experiencing hardship.
Recognising that many in the community are feeling financial pressure but may not directly ask for help, the Bank’s customer-facing teams have been trained to listen for subtle cues that indicate a customer might be struggling.
General Manager of Retail Banking at Bendigo Bank, Dennis Teale, acknowledged the current pressures, reminding customers to reach out early if things are starting to get tough.
“We know the earlier people reach out, the more likely they will have positive, sustainable outcomes,” Mr Teale said.
“Our customers are the heart of our bank and supporting them through financial stress is a core part of our purpose. How we respond in these moments matters and we want to remind our customers we are here to help them get back on track,” he said.
“At Bendigo Bank, we don’t want our customers to tough it out on their own,” Mr Teale concluded.
Bendigo Bank has a team of experts ready to talk customers through their options.
• For customers with a loan with Bendigo Bank
For customers struggling with repayments on mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, equipment finance loans, business loans, or overdrafts, Bendigo Bank’s specialised Mortgage Help (phone 1800 652 146) team is equipped to work with them to find a solution. This support is available to all individual and joint account holders, guarantors, business customers, and staff.
• For customers without a loan with Bendigo Bank
The Bank also supports customers who do not have loans with the Bank but are showing signs of financial distress. In these situations, the Bank’s role is to ensure these customers are in the right products for their needs and will help guide them to external support services that can help.
• Supporting businesses through the Economic Resilience Program
The Bank’s support extends to Australian businesses through its participation in the Australian Government’s Economic Resilience Program. This program offers zero-interest loans to eligible logistics and manufacturing businesses affected by recent market disruption and challenges in critical supply chains.
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