SYDNEY, Australia–This country’s Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), which includes credit unions, said its member institutions are pledging to work with customers/members as wildfires continue to ravage much of the country.
In a statement, the organization, which also includes mutual banks and building societies, said it is expressing its deepest sympathies to those effected by the devastating bushfire emergency across the country.
COBA is the direct member of the World Council of Credit Unions and represents 72 financial institutions that serve more than four-million consumers.
“Australia's customer owned banking sector has a long history of supporting its customers and communities in times of need,” said COBA CEO Michael Lawrence. “Customer owned banking institutions offer a range of measures to assist customers that are impacted by the bushfires, many of which continue to burn. The bushfires are devastating for individuals and communities. Our thoughts are with those whose properties and lives have been impacted, as well as for the firefighters that are working to protect lives and property.”