ASIC - Consumers' Federation of Australia

5 June , 2018

ASIC warns consumers about paying high fees for credit repair and debt advice services

ASIC is warning consumers about companies that claim they can fix a poor credit rating. ASIC is running a month-long campaign, with other Commonwealth, state and territory agencies, to help consumers understand that by using credit repair and debt management firms they may end up paying high fees. Consumers should be aware these companies often…

20 April , 2018

Jail time for corporate crooks needed to clean up finance sector

Today the Federal Government announced that there will be tougher penalties for corporate misconduct, and stronger powers for the corporate regulator ASIC. The Federal Government has agreed or agreed-in-principle to every recommendation made in the ASIC Enforcement Taskforce final report that was finalised in December 2017. Company directors will now face up to 10 years’…

25 July , 2017

Federal Government Silent on Debt Vulture Warnings

It has been eighteen months since the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) warned the Federal Government that so-called “debt management” firms are engaging in misleading and predatory conduct. The Consumer Action Law Centre wrote to the Federal Government shortly afterwards, calling for better regulation in the sector, but have yet to receive a response.…

10 July , 2017

ASIC Taskforce Signals Shift from Self-Regulation in Finance Industry

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Enforcement Review Taskforce is conducting consultations on a number of proposed reforms to improve the enforcement powers of ASIC. The Taskforce has just released a series of consultation papers. Recent media reports and Parliamentary inquiries have revealed the impact that poor financial services practices have on people’s lives, leading to intense regulatory scrutiny and reduced consumer confidence. One of the key…

3 July , 2017

‘Independent’ Means Independent – ASIC Clarifies Financial Adviser Terms

‘Independent’, ‘independently owned’, ‘non-aligned’ – financial advisers use a variety of terms to promise a lack of conflict of interest. But what do these terms mean? And what is required before an adviser can lawfully use them? ASIC has clarified its position on the use of restricted terms relating to the independence of financial advisers after seeking…

18 March , 2017

Mortgage broker mayhem

CFA members CHOICE, Consumer Action Law Centre and Financial Rights Legal Centre are calling on the federal government to act on conflicted remuneration in the mortgage market following an ASIC report that found widespread conflicts of interest for brokers and bank staff have led to an aggressive sales culture and poor outcomes for borrowers.[1] Quotes…

22 February , 2017

CFA publishes Submission to the Commission’s Consumer Law Enforcement and Administration Draft Report

Consumers’ Federation of Australia has published its submission to the Commission’s Consumer Law Enforcement and Administration Draft Report. The submission calls for additional public funding for consumer advocacy. Furthermore, CFA encourages the Productivity Commission to develop mechanisms which found fund the necessary consumer advocacy and input, aside from a call on the Federal Budget. The…

23 December , 2016

ASIC CAP Applications Open

Consumers’ Federation of Australia is seeking a volunteer consumer representative for the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) Consumer Advisory Panel. CAP was established in 1999. CAP advises ASIC on current issues faced by retail investors and consumers in the financial services and credit industries. CAP also informs ASIC’s surveillance, enforcement, policy and financial education…

23 May , 2016

Consumer groups welcome a stronger ASIC

Consumer groups CHOICE and Consumer Action Law Centre welcome today’s announcement of new funding and powers to protect consumers of financial services. In 2014-15 ASIC’s budget was reduced by $120 million over four years, in addition to an efficiency dividend of $47 million over the same period.[i] “Today’s funding announcement is good news for Australians.…

3 February , 2016

BMW Finance pays $391,000 penalty for breaching responsible lending and repossession laws

ASIC investigation reveals customers entering into unsuitable loans

20 January , 2016

Westpac pays $1 million following ASIC’s concerns about credit card limit increase practices

Bank didn’t make reasonable inquiries into customers’ income before upgrading credit limit