COVID-19: Customer Support

Supporting our business customers

We have introduced a number of measures to help our business customers manage the impacts of COVID-19.

We’re here to support you

We are currently receiving a high volume of customer enquiries and appreciate your patience. We are working hard to ensure that you have the help needed to support your business at this challenging time and will respond as soon as possible. We want to assure you that we’re here to support you and here’s some options you may like to consider:

Business loans and business credit card repayment deferrals

If you are currently on a COVID- 19 Business support package, your deferral period may be ending soon. To assist you, we have outlined important information and will be in touch prior to your repayment deferral period expiring.

Deferral extension

A further business loan repayment deferral period may be possible for some small business customers, following a review of your current circumstances.  Extension of the deferral period is subject to eligibility criteria and further credit assessment. 

Recommencing your repayments

Before your repayment deferral ends, you will need to ensure the following:

  • Check there are sufficient funds available for repayment of loans and that arrangements are made to make payments on the business credit card.
  • Ensure that repayments for loans initiated by direct credit from another institution or an employer are reinstated
  • For loans, where we initiated direct debit payments to the account prior to the repayment deferral period, those payment arrangements will be reinstated at the end of the repayment deferral period.
  • For business credit cards, refer to your last statement prior to your payment deferral period for the interest rates that your business credit card will revert to.
  • Contact us if you wish to request any changes to your direct debit arrangements.

 

Request more support

Let us know if you think you might need additional support or will be unable to resume repayments. We’re here to help and can discuss options that may be available to you.

Call 1300 883 174 or speak to your Relationship manager

Repayment deferrals are available for home and investment property loans that are in the name of a company, trust or SMSF. To find out more and apply online visit our COVID-19 home loans page.


Frequently Asked Questions for business repayment relief

We’ve answered some the most common questions about business repayment relief below.

If your application for repayment deferral is approved, you won’t have to make repayments on your business loan/s and/or credit card for six months. Your deferred payment period will start from the date you submitted your application2.

 

 

Business loans and overdrafts

SME Business Lending

The Federal Government has announced the second phase of the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme. Phase 2 of the Scheme allows for lending of up to $1m.

Starting 1st October 2020 expressions of interest can be submitted for:

  • Business lending
  • Secured and unsecured options
  • Open to both new and existing customers.

We’ll provide further details in the coming weeks.

Relationship managed customers If you have a Relationship Manager please contact them directly to express interest.
St.George customers Enquire now
New customers Enquire now

Temporary business overdraft

For existing customers currently enrolled in the JobKeeper Payment scheme, we’re offering a temporary business overdraft facility to help them continue paying their employees while they wait to receive payments from the Government’s JobKeeper Payment scheme.

  • If you have an existing overdraft and require additional funds to meet your employee wage or salary requirements, you can apply for a temporary increase to your existing facility limit, for JobKeeper Payment scheme Extension 1, until 3 January 2021. The rate will be at the same interest rate as your existing facility*.
  • If you do not currently have an overdraft facility, you can apply for a temporary overdraft facility, for JobKeeper Payment scheme Extension 1, until the 3 January 2021*. The temporary overdraft facility is available at an interest rate of 7.99% per annum. Throughout the period of the overdraft facility, you will need to clear the balance using any JobKeeper payments you receive.

Select ‘JobKeeper Payment scheme- temporary funding assistance’ on this page to find out more including eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and how to apply.

 

Show Starter Loans

On the 25th June 2020, the Federal Government announced a $250 million support package to assist the creative economy and get the entertainment, arts and screen sectors back to work as they rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19. The support package includes Show Starter Loans, with $90 million in concessional loans used to fund new productions and events that stimulate job creation and economic activity, delivered through commercial banks and backed by a 100% Commonwealth guarantee.

We are currently working with the Federal Government to finalise the details around the Show Starter Loans and will publish details around eligibility, terms and conditions and the application process on our website as they become available.

In the interim you can find out more about the Show Starter Loans and COVID-19 support measures on the government website.

Credit card repayment deferral

Who is eligible?

Repayment deferral is available to customers who hold the following credit card and who are experiencing financial hardship:

  • All St.George Amplify Business cards
  • St.George Business Vantage card.

Please note: Not available for Commercial Bank customers. Financial Hardship applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

What is available?

  • Defer payment option for 90 days
  • Deferral of annual fees for 3 months if required.

 

Call 1800 629 795

Alternatives to banking in branch

Business Banking Online

Bank online, on tablet and mobile and discover a fast and convenient way to stay on top of your business finances - anywhere, anytime.1

If you prefer to speak to one of our friendly staff, you can call our Business Banking Online Helpdesk on 1300 554 004.

 

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JobKeeper Payment scheme - temporary funding assistance

The Government is offering emergency relief and financial assistance to help employers during this difficult time including the JobKeeper Payment scheme. Under the Government’s  JobKeeper Payment scheme, you may be able to claim a fortnightly payment per eligible employee.

The JobKeeper Payment scheme has been extended from 28 September 2020 until 28 March 2021.  There are two separate extension periods which are: 

  • Extension 1: from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021; and
  • Extension 2: from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021.

The Government’s website contains information including whether you are eligible to claim these payments#.

If you are eligible, and you have enrolled for the JobKeeper Payment scheme with the Australian Tax Office (ATO), we may be able to help you through this challenging time by providing access to temporary funding whilst you await the JobKeeper payments.

What’s available?

  • If you have an existing overdraft and require additional funds to meet your employee wage or salary requirements, you can apply for a temporary increase to your existing facility limit, for JobKeeper Payment scheme Extension 1, until 3 January 2021. The rate will be at the same interest rate as your existing facility.*
  • If you do not currently have an overdraft facility, you can apply for a temporary overdraft facility, for JobKeeper Payment scheme Extension 1, until the 3 January 2021*. The temporary overdraft facility is available at an interest rate of 7.99% per annum. Throughout the period of the overdraft facility, you will need to clear the balance using any JobKeeper payments you receive.
  • If you do not receive any or sufficient JobKeeper payments to repay the temporary increase or overdraft, you will need to clear the facility using other funds.
  • This product is a temporary overdraft facility. An overdraft facility is an ‘at call’  facility. What this means is that you will need to repay the facility when we ask (and we can ask for repayment at any time, even if there’s no event of default). For example, without limiting our rights, if your eligibility for the JobKeeper Payment scheme changes, we may demand repayment of your temporary overdraft facility*.
  • There is no line fee and the $250 establishment fee will be waived for both increases to existing facilities and new temporary overdrafts. Other fees and charges may apply.
  • For JobKeeper Payment scheme - Extension 1, the offer can only be obtained until 3 January 2021, Brand reserves the right to reprice, amend, extend or withdraw this offer at any time.

Who is eligible?

To apply for a temporary increase to an existing overdraft facility, or apply for a new temporary overdraft facility, you must be an existing St.George customer and:

  • Meet the ATO JobKeeper Payment scheme - Extension 1 eligibility criteria,#
  • Confirm that your business has enrolled for the JobKeeper Payment Scheme;
  • Declare that the amount requested is aligned to the funds needed to pay the wages and salaries of your eligible employees, split across the two ATO Tiers;
  • Hold an existing St.George account in the same name as the Business registered under the JobKeeper Payment scheme. This must be the same account that the JobKeeper payments are paid into; and
  • Be able to provide evidence of recent payroll payments for the last two months.

How do I apply?

To apply you must have:

  • Enrolled for the ATO JobKeeper Payment scheme;
  • Be able to provide the JobKeeper Registration number supplied to you by the ATO; and
  • Have a nominated St.George transaction account to receive the JobKeeper payments.
     

Apply online, call 1300 730 196 (8am – 8pm Sydney time, Mon-Fri) or speak to your Relationship Manager.

 

Apply now
Call 1300 730 196

(8am – 8pm Sydney time, Mon-Fri)


To read a summary of the Government’s JobKeeper Payment scheme - Extension 1, visit the ATO website#. 

*Terms, conditions, eligibility and credit criteria apply.

#The JobKeeper program is a Federal Government initiative and we provide a link to the external site for your convenience. This information is provided for general information only. Please read the Government’s fact sheet to see if you are eligible and for terms and conditions that apply. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice on how the Federal Government initiatives relate to your circumstances.

Merchant terminal fee relief

The Merchant terminal fee relief was a part of our COVID-19 support package for Australian businesses, for 3 months, starting in April 2020. All eligible merchant customers have received their final refund payment and we are working to provide you with a GST adjustment note for tax purposes in the coming weeks. If you need further support, we’re here to help.

Which fees have been refunded automatically?

For merchant customers on a Simple Pricing Plan:

  • Monthly plan fees.

For merchant customers not on a Simple Pricing Plan:

  • Monthly terminal rental fees and minimum monthly service fee.

Who was eligible?

Merchant customers with a total card spend of less than $5 million per annum.

Which fees were still charged?

For merchant customers on a Simple Pricing Plan:

  • Establishment fees if you set up a new or additional facility
  • Installation fees if you requested an additional terminal
  • Excess transactions were charged at 1.5% when your transactions exceed your plan’s included value
  • Chargeback fees if you received a chargeback or if you receive excessive chargebacks
  • Authorisation fees if the Authorisation service was used
  • Equipment not returned/damaged fees if your terminals were not returned to us or if they were damaged due to negligence or abuse.

For merchant customers not on a Simple Pricing Plan:

  • Establishment fees if you set up a new or additional facility
  • Installation fees if you requested an additional terminal
  • Participation fees to cover the cost associated with the supply of your merchant facility
  • Transaction fees including Credit/Debit merchant service fees, UnionPay merchant service fees, interchange and on-charged scheme fees (if applicable)
  • Chargeback fees if you received a chargeback or if you receive excessive chargebacks
  • Authorisation fees if the Authorisation service was used
  • Equipment not returned/damaged fees if your terminals were not returned to us or if they were damaged due to negligence or abuse
  • Temporary EFTPOS facility monthly fee if a merchant facility was required for a set period.

 

Please note: Some of these fees may not apply to you as they are not relevant to your facility type. For a full list of fees and charges that apply to you, please refer to your Fee Schedule.

Small business insurance relief

What’s available?

  • Option to defer insurance premium payments for up to 6 months
  • Receive a refund on the unused portion of a cancelled policy without incurring cancellation fees
  • No change to the premium or level of cover if you have vacated your premises.

 

Learn more about this relief

 

Continuity planning for your business

We appreciate your business may be disrupted by COVID-19 and your customers and employees potentially impacted. We have put together steps and resources that may help you to act at a time when you may have to make significant decisions.

 

Download checklist


 

 

Any questions?

During the COVID-19 pandemic we know you’ll have questions regarding our relief package and other matters, so we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked on our FAQs page. As the situation changes we’ll keep the page updated to reflect the latest information and guidance.
 

Check out FAQs


 

 

Getting back into business

Tips and tools to help keep your business running during crisis.
 

Find out more


 

Important information

* Terms, conditions, eligibility and credit criteria apply.

1. Subject to system availability. Scheduled maintenance and unexpected outages may impact availability. Some features may not be available on the app.