Banker S.A. March 2012 | Page 64

Assistance provided to people will vary according to individual circumstances, but could include: • deferring home loan repayments; • restructuring business loans without incurring fees; • giving credit card holders an emergency credit limit increase; • refinancing personal loans at a discounted fixed rate; • waiving interest rate penalties if term deposits are drawn early; and • deferring repayments on equipment finance facilities. ‘Each and every financial situation will be different, but be assured bank relationship managers will talk to customers about strategies to deal with the floods,’ says Münchenberg. The ABA also has a website, which has information about hardship arrangements for customers affected by disasters, unemployment, illness and other issues that cause financial difficultie