Banking

In November 2016, the Australian Bankers Association (ABA) released Industry guideline: Financial abuse and family and domestic violence policies (Family Violence Guideline). Our group had the opportunity to provide input to the final document which guides banks in relation to issues such as staff training, identifying indicators of family abuse, supporting staff who have experienced family violence, and clarifying that banks can negotiate a variation of a joint agreement with just one of the parties if necessary.

In March 2017, the ABA responded to the recommendations of a review of the Banking Code of Practice (Code). The ABA accepted all three recommendations that made reference to family violence. The revised Code is likely to contain a reference to the Family Violence Guideline which will help to raise the profile of the Guideline within the banks.