Bendigo and Adelaide Bank activates assistance package for flood affected customers in Victoria

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank customers in Victoria affected by recent flooding events are being offered financial relief with a range of measures now available to eligible customers.

In line with recent Government announcements, affected customers in the local government areas of: Alpine Shire, Baw Baw Shire, Benalla Rural City, Campaspe Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Gannawarra Shire, Greater Bendigo, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mansfield Shire, Mitchell Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, Murrindindi Shire, South Gippsland Shire, Strathbogie Shire, Wellington Shire, and Yarra Ranges Shire will be eligible for the assistance package.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Chief Customer Officer for Consumer Banking, Richard Fennell, said the Bank will always support customers in times of need.

“We know these recent floods have been devastating for our customers and communities in the affected areas. As always, we’re here to help in any way we can,” Mr Fennell said.

“We have today activated our natural disaster assistance package and want those impacted to know we are here to support them, over the phone, online or of course, in branch.

“Today’s announcement of our assistance package comes as Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s charitable arm; Community Enterprise Foundation, launched its 2024 Victorian Flood Appeal. All contributions will provide important support in the recovery efforts in the immediate aftermath of this event, and in the medium and long-term,” Mr Fennell concluded.

The Bank understands the impact severe weather events such as floods can have on customers financially. The key features of the Assistance Package for flood affected customers of Bendigo Bank, Rural Bank and Adelaide Bank include:

• Customers can apply for relief on their home, personal and business loans for up to three months;
• Agri business customers can apply for relief on loans for up to six months;
• Discounted interest rates on new personal loans taken out by existing Bendigo Bank customers;
• Credit cards and business credit cards can apply for deferral of repayments for up to three months;
• Waiver of interest rate reduction for early withdrawals on term deposits prior to maturity;
• No 'loan break' costs for customers with a fixed rate who use an insurance payment to pay out their loan;
• Merchant rental fees may be waived for impacted businesses.

Concerned customers are advised to speak with their local Branch Manager, Business Banking Manager or Agribusiness Relationship Manager when it’s safe to do so.

Bendigo Bank and Adelaide Bank customers can contact our Mortgage Help Centre on 1800 652 146 for more information regarding financial hardship and applying for assistance or visit Natural disaster assistance package | Bendigo Bank. Rural Bank customers are advised to call Rural Bank direct on 1300 660 115.

If you are a Bendigo Bank Insurance customer with a damaged home, rental building, car or other property please get in touch with us. We can help you make a claim or offer advice. To make a claim on your Bendigo insurance policy, please call 13 24 80.

How to donate to the 2024 Victorian Flood Appeal:

People wishing to support these communities are encouraged to provide monetary donations directly to the 2024 Victorian Flood Appeal as monetary donations are quicker, more effective, and logistically provide far more flexibility than donations of material items or pre-loved goods. Donations can be made at any time online or at your local Bendigo Bank branch. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

The 2024 Victorian Flood Appeal is a management account of Community Enterprise Foundation™ ABN 69 694 230 518, The Bendigo Centre, PO Box 480, Bendigo, Vic 3552. The Foundation will make distributions by way of grants, following receipt of applications from organisations endorsed with an item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Support available:

• Up-to-date information on changing flood conditions can be found on the VicEmergency Website.
• Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service is available on 13 11 14.