Rabobank Australia CEO Bruce Dick said the bank was in the process of attempting to individually contact all clients in fire affected parts of rural Victoria to check on their wellbeing and determine the extent of damage to their farms.

“We are doing whatever can possibly be done at this point to make personal contact with the many clients we have in these areas to support them in any way we can,” he said.

“Fortunately, all our employees are safe and accounted for and we are hopeful this will also be the case with our clients.”

Mr Dick said the bank would work on “an individual case-by-case basis with each client to support them through this horrendous and devastating disaster”.

Measures the bank will look to take include:

• Deferral of scheduled loan payments

• Waiving of break costs on early redemption of Farm Management Deposits

• Waiving of fees on loan increases necessary to assist in rebuilding operations and

• Waiving of fees for equipment finance contract variations.

Mr Dick said Rabobank was calling on all clients affected by the disaster – who have not yet been reached by the bank – to contact their local account managers so the bank could assist with any support required.

“While it is too early to establish the full extent and impact of damage to local agriculture, these horrific fires have undoubtedly caused widespread devastation to the lives and livelihoods of many primary producers in these parts of the state,” he said.

“Like everyone in impacted areas, farmers are going to need the support of all of us in Australia to get through this awful time.”

The bank will also donate $100,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.