Coronavirus - we're here to help

While there’s been good news recently around COVID-19 (with vaccine advances), the virus remains a serious threat to community health and our economy.

We’ll update this page regularly as we continue to navigate this virus, to provide you with the latest information. We’ll also be here to support any member who’s experiencing financial difficulty due to the impacts of COVID-19, such as loss or reduction of income. 

Please stay safe and follow expert advice.

How we’ll support you

Work with you to make arrangements to suit your personal circumstances

If you’re experiencing ongoing financial challenges due to COVID-19 and can’t meet your loan, line of credit, overdraft, credit card or business banking obligations, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

While speaking with you about your personal circumstances we can discuss the type of assistance we may be able to provide to you. Assistance may include; extending the length of your loan, converting to interest-only payments for a period, consolidating debt or a combination of these, and other measures.

We’ve already helped thousands by deferring loan repayments for up to four months. If you’ve not fully recovered from the financial impacts of COVID-19 by the end of your payment deferral period, and are unable to restart full repayments, get in touch on 13 11 82 and we’ll explore possible extra relief arrangements. Extra relief may include an extension of the payment deferral period.

We’ll speak to you before applying new or extended relief arrangements to ensure we fully understand your challenges, and so that the support we provide you is appropriate for your situation. 

Allow you to redraw your loan

If you’re in advance of your loan repayments, you’ll be able to redraw against your loan. We‘ve also made this option available to you if you have a fixed rate home loan. For terms and conditions that apply to redraws, visit this link.

Provide the option to reduce your repayments

We’d usually recommend you leave your loan repayments at the higher level, even when interest rates drop. But if you’re experiencing financial difficulty, you do have the option to reduce your repayments as low as the minimum required repayment.

Updated interest rates for loans and investments

We continue to review our rates regularly taking into account regulatory requirements, funding costs, market demands and the impacts of Coronavirus.

Our current rates for home loans, personal loans, saving accounts and term investments are available at this link.

Help you with Visa card transaction disputes

If you’re experiencing a Visa dispute, for example a travel or event cancellation, and the retailer isn’t assisting you, we may be able to help. Visit our Visa Card Transaction Enquiry (Disputes) page for more information at this link.

Offer financial hardship assistance

We have always offered financial hardship assistance to members in need. This is separate to any of the COVID-specific assistance listed above. You can find more information on financial support and  what it means at this link.

Banking with us, at home

While travel bans have been generally lifted, doing your day-to-day banking online or through our Mobile Banking App is still the safest option.

If you have to visit a branch, for the safety of the community, please only do so if you're well.

Our branches have now returned to normal operating times, but this may change suddenly due to government restrictions and social distancing guidelines. You can see our branch opening hours at this link.  

Contactless payments

Visa has temporarily increased contactless payment limits from $100 to $200 when paying with your card, smartphone or wearable device. Increasing the limit makes shopping safer by reducing the number of times you have to enter your PIN on devices other people are using.    

You can make contactless payments with an eligible smartphone or wearable device at participating merchants where you see this logo.

Mental health resources

We understand that everyone copes differently, and that some people may need to reach out for a little extra help during this time. Please take care of your mental health and wellbeing during the current situation. 

You can find useful information and resources on the Head to Health website. 

For personal crisis and mental health support you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 44 or Beyond Blue on 1800 512 358 at any time.

Get in touch with us

At People's Choice, we won't leave you on hold. Our local team will always answer your calls during business hours, our Lending Specialists will call you back in a few hours, and we’ll conditionally assess your loan application within a day of receiving the required information.

Get in touch with us 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday and 8:30am - 4:30pm Saturday (ACST) by calling  13 11 82.

Keep your eyes open for scams

Sadly, criminals use opportunities such as the Coronavirus outbreak to set up scams. Anyone could be the target of a scam that is often received by phone call, text or email. Our advice? People’s Choice will never call you and ask for your personal or banking information. Don’t give out your personal or banking details, never provide remote access to your computer, hang up the phone immediately and delete the email or text.

For the latest known COVID-19 scams targeting our members, visit our alerts page at this link. Alternatively, learn how you can protect yourself further by visiting our security centre here.

Scamwatch information for known scams to People’s Choice

• Remote access scams:
  https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/remote-access-scams
• Dating & romance scams:
  https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/dating-romance
• Investment scams:
  https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/investments/investment-scams

For more information on how to stay safe against COVID-19 related scams, visit the Australian Government Cyber Security COVID-19 page at this link.

If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, call us on 13 11 82 and report it to Scamwatch.

Australian Government Support

The latest official Coronavirus news, updates and advice from the Australian Government can be found at this link.

Stay up to date with the latest news on Coronavirus