National announces Bendigo tornado assistance package - 20 May 2003

The National Australia Bank today announced a package of special relief measures for customers and businesses affected by the tornado in Bendigo on Sunday night.

Joe Siragusa, Region Manager Rural Victoria & Tasmania, said: "The National is ready to provide practical assistance to victims of this disaster. We have customers who will be affected and we want them to be aware that we are able to help."

The National's relief package for customers who have suffered loss of property or employment as a result of the tornado, includes:

• a suspension of home loan repayments
• waiving fees and costs for early withdrawal of term deposits
• waiving home loan and personal loan application fees
• providing existing customers access to low 'honeymoon' home loan rates and waiving the application fee for another loan at expiry
• waiving establishment fees for restructuring business loans
• credit card relief where appropriate
• support to restructure existing banking facilities

"We would like customers affected by this disaster to contact the National's staff to discuss their circumstances. We will be keen to assist wherever possible to help customers get their businesses and personal finances under control again as quickly as possible," said Mr Siragusa.