Banking

A house in the right corner of the image A house in the right corner of the image

The Federal Government has directed the ACCC to immediately commence an inquiry into home loan pricing. The ACCC is to investigate a wide range of issues ranging from the rates paid by new vs existing customers, how the cost of financing for banks has affected bank decisions on interest rates, and why RBA cuts aren’t always…

Read More ACCC commences pricing transparency inquiry for home loans

Three people sitting at a desk having a meeting, two with their backs to the camera Three people sitting at a desk having a meeting, two with their backs to the camera

The new Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) will monitor banks’ compliance with the 2019 Banking Code of Practice (the Code). The BCCC will work with banks and stakeholders to ensure that the high standards of service and other promises made to customers through the Code are embedded and adhered to by the 19 banking groups that subscribe…

Read More New Banking Code Compliance Committee open for business

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“Stand strong against industry pressure” is the message from CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland following Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement this morning about how the government will implement the Banking Royal Commission recommendations.  “Today the Treasurer has outlined how the government will make sure that banks, insurers and mortgage brokers act fairly and provide services that…

Read More CHOICE responds to Treasurer’s Royal Commission road map announcement

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The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) commenced on 1 July 2019 with the primary purpose of monitoring banks’ compliance with the 2019 Banking Code of Practice. An important part of the BCCC’s role is to ensure that banks uphold the promises they make to their small business and agribusiness customers. To assist it fulfill its role, the…

Read More Small Business and Agribusiness Advisory Panel: Request for Expressions of Interest

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In its response to the High Court finding that a ‘book-up’ credit scheme operated in the remote Aboriginal community of Mintabie in the South Australian APY lands was not unconscionable, Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) says that Australia needs an economy-wide prohibition on unfair trading. “Unconscionable conduct is a complex legal term, and it…

Read More Unconscionable conduct: Divided High Court confirms need for change to the law

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The Coalition Government has agreed to take action on all 76 recommendations contained in the Royal Commission’s Final Report and, in a number of important areas, is going further, including conducting an immediate review of financial counselling services. In his Final Report, Commissioner Hayne observed, “The desirability of predictable and stable funding for the legal…

Read More Going further with a financial counselling review

Consumer Advocates in Canberra for the release of the Royal Commission's final report

The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry has now concluded. The Final Report and the Government’s response was released to the general public on Monday afternoon, providing a road map for law reform that should deliver improved standards in the finance sector.  Many of the report’s 76 recommendations have been welcomed by consumer organisations including CHOICE, Consumer…

Read More Consumer groups respond to Royal Commission Final Report

Banks breached their Code of Banking Practice 10,123 times in 2017–18, according to a Banking Code Compliance Monitoring Committee (CCMC) report released today. The CCMC said these self-reported breaches of the Banking Code affected more than 3.4 million people, costing them more than $95 million. However, these impacts are likely to be significantly understated. The number…

Read More Banks’ compliance, monitoring and reporting deficient, report finds

The Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) released its Annual Compliance Report today. A copy can be downloaded here. The Committee welcomes an increase in self reporting of breaches of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (the Code). However, many of those who subscribe to the Code still have work to do to achieve good…

Read More Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee releases Annual Report 

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The following is a guest post by The Code Compliance and Monitoring team, a separately operated and funded business unit of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Unfair treatment of customers by institutions has been under the spotlight at the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry. Beyond the Commission, however, consumer protection…

Read More Codes of Practice – Consumers benefit