Financial Difficulty Assistance FAQs

What are my assistance options?

This will depend on your personal circumstances and financial situation, and may include:

• tailoring a payment arrangement
• deferring or reducing loan payments for a defined period of time
• extending the loan term
• capitalising loan arrears

It is important to contact us early so that we can discuss your situation and provide the best options available to you.

What is the application process?

If you think you are, or will be, unable to meet your debt obligations please contact us as soon as possible.

Depending on your situation we may be able to provide assistance quickly and efficiently over the phone.

Alternatively we may require further information and documentation to help us understand your financial position and determine whether assistance is appropriate.

The Bank may require:

• a statement of financial position to be completed summarising your current income, expenditure, assets and liabilities
• employment contract and/or payslips
• account statements
• Centrelink statement and/or social security payment details
• medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner
• employment separation statement
• contract of sale / sales agency agreement
• other documents which support your request

Once you have provided us with all the requested information necessary to review your financial situation we will provide you with a decision within 21 days.

How will we assess your application for financial difficulty assistance?

Our dedicated team will contact you. When assessing your request they will take into account factors including:

• reason for financial difficulty
• your current financial position
• your ability to meet the commitments under the proposed arrangement and future repayments under the contract
• the ability to rehabilitate your circumstances (based on whether the financial difficulty assistance will offer genuine relief to restore your financial situation)

How will we tell you about our decision

We will tell you in writing if we can assist you, the reason for our decision to provide assistance and the main details of the proposed new arrangements

You’ll need to ensure that you meet the terms of the new arrangement.

If you are subsequently unable to meet these terms, you should contact us as soon as possible to discuss your situation.

What happens if my application is declined?

There may be a number of reasons why we decide not to provide financial difficulty assistance. If this is the case the reason for this decision will be explained to you in writing. We will also seek to discuss the next steps we will take and other available options with you.

What if I am not satisfied with the outcome of the assessment?

Please contact us on 02 49261428 or at info@novaalliancebank.com.au We will promptly investigate your complaint and notify you of the outcome.

If you are not satisfied with the response provided, you have the option of referring the matter to the Customer Advocate team who will impartially assess your complaint, keep you informed of the progress and provide you with a response.

The Customer Advocate can be contacted by:

• Telephone – 1300 139 572 (+61 3 5485 7919) between 8:30am and 5:00pm Victorian time, weekdays
• Email – customeradvocate@bendigoadelaide.com.au
• Post/Letter – write to Customer Advocate, P.O. Box 480, Bendigo, Vic, 3552

Alternatively (or following consideration by the Customer Advocate) you may refer your complaint directly to :

Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) 
GPO Box 3
Melbourne Vic 3001
Phone: 1800 931 678
Fax (03) 9613 6399
email: info@afca.org.au.au
Website www.afca.org.au

Other useful resources

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, there are a range of useful resources available to you, including:

https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/

Contact Nova Alliance Bank

Phone: 02 49261428
Email: info@novaalliancebank.com.au
Postal Address: PO Box 789 Newcastle NSW 2300