Westpac Westpac is today announcing a new policy that will see customers entering hardship arrangements given the option of building a savings buffer. This change will mean some customers in financial difficulty make smaller repayments to their mortgages allowing them breathing space to save for unexpected expenses. Recent research by Westpac shows one in two Australians have had to pay for unexpected bills in the past 12 months ranging from auto repairs (24%), home repairs (20%), medical bills (20%) and pet emergencies (11%). Two in five said they would feel unprepared financially to cover these emergency expenses. The savings buffer is supported by Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) who have been advocating for banks to help customers in hardship have some money left over to pay for emergency expenses.