Accelerated account switching planned
One bit of forthcoming bank-bashing theatre for the new Labor treasurer will relate to plans to encourage, or compel, or similar, banks to make it easier for customers to switch everyday bank accounts.This has been on the agenda of retail banks and also on the work program of the Australian Payments Clearing Association for a while, though the industry hasn't made much progress in spelling out a detailed timetable for reform.The basic issue is that reformers, and now the Australian government, want banks losing a customer to send a standardised file to the bank gaining a customer that carries all the details of direct debits and credits, so the customer does not have to run around organising all those again. The frustration at having to do so appears to be a barrier to account switching.The Australian today reported there may be legislation to foster this change. It will at least be one talking point from a meeting of the Council of Financial Regulators.Some home loan fees are also under review by the government, including fees to switch between fixed rate and variable rates on existing home loans as well as punitive break fees when someone refinances.