The ACCC has issued a final determination granting conditional authorisation to enable Australian Banking Association member banks and third-party suppliers or agents to enter into agreements for the purpose of providing relief to bank customers who are suffering hardship (including reduced levels of service or reduced access to banking services), or may suffer such hardship without that conduct, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government measures.

The ACCC authorisation expires on 14 August 2021.

The authorisation relates to arrangements that have the purpose of:

• deferring or varying loan facilities for customers,
• supporting government initiatives to provide emergency relief for individuals and businesses, or
• ensuring continued high levels of customer service and accessibility.

The authorisation is subject to two conditions that require:

• The ABA to notify the ACCC where coordination involves third party suppliers and/or agents that compete with each other or with Member Banks, and
• The ABA to notify the ACCC of any other arrangement arising from the authorised conduct prior to its implementation.

The participating banks are not authorised to coordinate on any element of prices for any service or product on which they compete.

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