Finance

An open door with keys hanging in the lock An open door with keys hanging in the lock

Consumer advocate CHOICE has welcomed draft laws to reform the mortgage broking industry by introducing a duty for brokers to act in their clients’ best interests but called for the government to remove loopholes that would harm consumers. CHOICE says that if done well, this reform will unleash greater price competition in the home loan…

Read More “Loud wake-up call for the problem-plagued mortgage broking industry”: CHOICE

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

An up-close image of a skyscraper An up-close image of a skyscraper

Scrutiny of add-on insurance products by consumers, regulators and government has increased recently, with a particular focus on the sale of consumer credit insurance (CCI). Insurers and third-party sellers have been criticised for offering poor-quality products, pressure selling and selling to consumers who were unaware they were consenting to purchase CCI. In light of these…

Read More Sale of consumer credit insurance by customer owned banking Code subscribers

Euro bank notes Euro bank notes

Australian consumers are paying too much for foreign currency conversion (FX) services because of confusing pricing and a lack of robust competition, a new ACCC report has found. The final report of the ACCC’s Foreign Currency Conversion Services Inquiry highlights important competition and consumer issues affecting individuals and small businesses who use international money transfers (IMTs), foreign…

Read More Australians paying millions too much for foreign currency services

A black calculator next to a hard copy bank statement A black calculator next to a hard copy bank statement

Consumers’ Federation of Australia has joined a group of financial experts, community advocates, and service providers determined to see stronger laws implemented to protect Australians from irresponsible lenders. The Alliance’s statement: To the Australian Government: Every day our organisations deal with Australians who have been trapped in crippling debt due to high-cost fast loans and…

Read More CFA joins the Stop the Debt Trap Alliance

Denim jean pocket holding four credit cards Denim jean pocket holding four credit cards

“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

A yellow road sign with black writing that reads "bankruptcy" A yellow road sign with black writing that reads "bankruptcy"

CFA member Nicola Howell (PhD researcher, Melbourne Law School and Senior Lecturer at QUT) is researching the impact of financial difficulty assistance, bankruptcy and debt agreements on consumer debtors. A better understanding of how people experience the different options, and whether they improve the lives of debtors in the short and long term, can help…

Read More Researching the impact of financial difficulty assistance: Request for participation

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Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights), Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) have welcomed the Australian Securities and Investment Commission’s (ASIC’s) announcement that it will consult on using new Product Intervention Powers to intervene in the short term credit industry. The new product intervention power allows ASIC to intervene where…

Read More Consumer advocates welcome ASIC intervention in Short Term Credit Market

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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) report released today confirms that consumer credit insurance, commonly tacked on when taking out a loan or credit card, is junk.  This news comes as Australians demand over $2 million worth of refunds after being ripped off by junk insurance through Consumer Action’s DemandARefund tool.   ASIC’s report…

Read More Regulator slams ‘junk insurance’ sold by banks as Aussies demand over $2 million in refunds

Law Cases

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