ANZ

ANZ Drought Assistance ANZ is committed to providing farmers and rural people affected by drought with support in three critical areas: Community Grants Short-term Financial Relief Direct Financial Counselling Community Grants The cash grants will be provided through the Seeds of Renewal program. This program, which is administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, funds projects in small rural communities.

ANZ has significantly increased funding for Seeds of Renewal to $1 million, in 2007-08. Seeds of Renewal will give eligible community organisations up to $10,000 to fund projects to help their community prepare for, survive and recover from drought. To be eligible, community groups must be from towns with populations of 15,000 or less in areas declared to be ‘Exceptional Circumstance’. Groups must also be not-for-profit organisations with an ABN. All projects in 2007 will have a drought theme, but they may contribute to the community in different ways, including: Creating community enterprise Initiating community projects to develop the local economy, tourism or culture; or Enabling growth and community momentum. To obtain further information about Seeds of Renewal, including when to apply, visit Seeds of Renewal Short-term Financial Relief ANZ encourages customers affected by the drought to continue to approach ANZ as soon as practical to discuss the likely impact on their business or personal circumstances. ANZ is committed to supporting customers and their communities and we will continue our policy of case-by-case assessment of customer needs to help them through this difficult period. To ease hardship due to the drought, ANZ can offer relief such as: capitalising interest or establishing interest-only repayments on loans; loan restructuring to minimise financial outgoings during this adverse trading period and waiving associated fees; provision of additional carry-on finance to meet short-term needs; waiving fees associated with accessing deposit funds ahead of the maturity date Customers affected by the drought who wish to discuss the relief arrangements can do so by: Contacting their local ANZ Manager or Visit their local ANZ branch. Direct Financial Consultation ANZ Financial Planning is offering specific support to farmers, businesses and individuals living in rural communities. This commitment involves ANZ Financial Planners providing a one-off face-to-face financial consultation session to help residents of rural communities through this difficult period. The direct financial consultation session is available at your local ANZ branch and covers long term financial options available such as: superannuation tax effective investing personal insurance; and diversifying to off-farm income. ANZ Financial Planning encourages customers affected by the drought to arrange an initial no obligation direct financial consultation session with an ANZ Financial Planner today. You can benefit from the financial options available to help you deal with the drought. Customers affected by the drought who wish to arrange a direct financial consultation session with an ANZ Financial Planner can do so by: Contacting their local ANZ Manager Visit their local ANZ branch ANZ Financial Planning’s direct financial consultation service will provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. Speak to us today.