Banks are winding up lending and helping many who ask for a break from all loan commitments, or maybe the ABA is doing the numbers better than before.

Data released by the Australian Banking Association yesterday shows “more than $45 billion has been provided in new loans to businesses, and a further $6 billion through increases to existing loans and credit facilities.”

Nearly $8.5 billion found its way to more than 23,000 small businesses, the ABA said.

The analysis also shows that more than 320,000 homeowners have been approved for a loan deferral on their mortgage repayments.

An additional 170,000 business owners have also received a deferral on their business loan repayments and nearly 37,000 other loan repayments, such as personal loans and credit cards, have also been deferred.

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said “bank call centres have been, and continue to be, inundated with people needing help.”