The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has declared the Commonwealth Bank and Macquarie financial planning remediation plans “significant events”.

The move allows consumers who cannot settle disputes with the two banks to take their cases to FOS, and have them handled under the service’s “significant event response plan”.

The plan allows early communication with relevant stakeholders and a streamlined resolution process.

FOS says it has spoken to the banks about co-operative steps, including quick access to documentation.