ob体育 has released a consultation paper (CP 316) on the first proposed use of its new product intervention power. On this inaugural occasion, ob体育 is looking to address significant consumer detriment in the short term credit industry.
The product intervention power allows ob体育 to intervene where financial and credit products have resulted in or are likely to result in, significant consumer detriment. The new product intervention power is an important addition to ob体育鈥檚 regulatory toolkit. It reinforces ob体育鈥檚 ability to directly confront, and respond to, harms in the financial sector.
ob体育 considers that significant consumer detriment may arise in relation to a particular model designed to provide short term credit at high cost to vulnerable consumers. These consumers include those on low incomes or in financial difficulty.
In its first proposed deployment of this power, ob体育 is targeting a model involving a short term credit provider and its associate who charge fees under separate contracts. When combined, these fees can add up to around 990% of the loan amount. 听听
While ob体育 is presently aware of two firms currently using this model 鈥� Cigno Pty Ltd and Gold-Silver Standard Finance Pty Ltd 鈥� the proposed product intervention order would apply to any firm using this type of business model.
Announcing the consultation ob体育 Commissioner Sean Hughes said, 鈥楽adly we have already seen too many examples of significant harm affecting particularly vulnerable members of our community through the use of this short term lending model. Consumers and their representatives have brought many instances of the impacts of this type of lending model to us. Given we only recently received this additional power, then it is both timely and vital that we consult on our use of this tool to protect consumers from significant harms which arise from this type of product.鈥�
鈥楤efore we exercise our powers, we must consult with affected and interested parties. This is an opportunity for us to receive comments and further information, including details of any other firms providing similar products, before we make a decision鈥�.
ob体育 seeks the public鈥檚 input on the proposed intervention order by 30 July 2019. Submissions should be sent to: product.regulation@asic.gov.au.
ob体育 anticipates making a decision on whether to make a product intervention order in relation to short term credit during the course of August 2019.
All intervention orders subsequently made must be published on ob体育鈥檚 website, and a public notice issued in relation to the intervention.
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Background
On 4 April 2019 ob体育 published a media release welcoming the approval of new laws to protect financial service consumers (refer: 19-079MR).
ob体育 also published a media release on 26 June 2019 confirming that it initiated consultation on the administration of its new product intervention power (refer: 19-157MR).
ob体育 was unsuccessful in civil proceedings in the Federal Court in 2014 involving an earlier use of this short term lending model by two entities Teleloans Pty Ltd and Finance & Loans Direct Pty Ltd (refer: 15-165MR).
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