Several banks in Australia have taken the opportunity to help people affected by flooding. Locations declared as natural disaster areas include the Mid Western Region and the Shires of Wagga, Weddin, Wellington, Warrumbungle, Cootamundra, Coonamble, Harden, Young, Gundagai, Cabonne, Coolamon, Lockhart, Narrandera, Warren, Orange, Parkes, Forbes, Bathurst, Cowra, Lachlan and Dubbo.

The Commonwealth Bank has responded to residents and businesses affected by flooding across central Queensland by activating its special emergency assistance package.

"The Commonwealth Bank is concerned at the impact the rain and flooding has had on local residents and businesses," said the Bank's Group Executive Retail Banking Services, Ross McEwan.

"We've put special arrangements in place for our customers, and our staff are ready to assist them promptly with their financial concerns and enquiries."

Key features of the CommBank's special assistance package include providing changes to repayment arrangements for its home loan customers who may experience difficulties because of the flooding.

St George Bank also announced support for customers affected by the flooding.

"The floods have forced hundreds of people to flee their homes. There's extensive damage to homes and businesses and St.George is offering a Customer Relief package to assist our customers through this terrible time," says St.George Bank Managing Director for NSW and ACT, Greg Kenny.

"St.George customers impacted by these floods should contact us as soon as they can. We will assess each customer's case individually and assist them as quickly as possible."

Assistance available to customers includes deferral on home and personal loan repayments and suspending interest charges, suspension of credit card repayments and interest, and providing emergency credit limit increases.