National Credit Code Reform – responsible lending unsuitability assessment obligations to apply from 1 January 2010 to non-ADIs and non-RFCs and regulations released
In a surprising about face, the Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen MP, announced last Friday that the conduct of unsuitability assessments under the responsible lending conduct obligations, which were recently pushed back to 1 January 2011 (see our update of 11 August 2009), have now been reversed back to 1 January 2010. The revision does not apply to Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs)and Registered Financial Corporations (RFCs).
Selected changes to the National Credit Code (NCC) have also been pushed back from 1 January 2010 to 1 July 2010.The following table summarises the current position:
| Code application | Consider whether the Code applies to your circumstances. |
| Audit the lease periods | Consider whether your lease will expire imminently, or whether it still has at least 12 months to run. Depending on the term of your existing lease, workshop your best and worst case scenarios. For example, if your lease expires in less than 12 months, consider whether it will be more advantageous for you to negotiate an extension of the lease with a rent reduction, or whether you will vacate the premises when the lease expires. |
| Move now on changes | If your lease will soon expire, consider whether you want to take this opportunity to reduce floor space. Consider discussing with your landlords the possibility of relocating to another premises in the building or shopping centre if other space becomes vacant. |
| Data gathering | Gather your financial and sales data and make sure you have a good grasp of your losses. Be prepared to produce information which demonstrates your eligibility for the JobKeeper programme as well as data showing the financial stress suffered by you. This information will be required to calculate any proportional rent relief. |
| What is happening in your building? | Has the landlord closed access to your building? If your lease is a commercial or industrial lease, consider the percentage of staff who are working from home. Has the landlord ceased the use of any amenities in the building? These considerations can assist with calculating your rent relief package. |
| Start a conversation | Talk to your landlord and have open and frank discussions. Have regard to the fact that your landlord also has overheads to pay - in some cases, your rent is the landlord’s main stream of income. |
Draft regulations for the NCC were also released on Friday with comment invited until 9 September 2009. The draft Regulations include:
- National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations 2009
- National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2009
- National Consumer Credit Protection (Fees) Regulations and
- Electronic Transactions Amendment Regulations 2009.
Assistance
Having assisted many financial services providers obtain their Australian Finance Services Licence under a similar regime, the Hall & Wilcox Financial Services and Banking & Finance teams are able to:
- assist in making a submission on the draft regulations
- provide specific advice as to how the National Consumer Credit legislation and the responsible lending obligations will apply to you
- assist in preparing Australian Credit Licence applications including all necessary proof documents in accordance with ASIC requirements and
- assist in drafting template documents which comply with all of the disclosure requirements contained in the legislation and draft regulations.
Contact
Harry New
Partner
Harry leads our financial services team and focuses extensively on financial services law and corporate advisory.
John Bassilios
Partner & Fintech and Blockchain Lead
John has broad experience in financial services, funds management, blockchain, crypto, web3 and corporate law.
Related practices
Financial Services You might be also interested in...
Financial Services | 18 Aug 2009
ASIC extends hardship relief for investors in mortgage funds
The Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) has announced changes to hardship withdrawals from frozen registered mortgage funds. The changes expand the circumstances in which responsible entities are able to make payments to fund members who demonstrate the need to access funds on hardship grounds. These changes include:
Financial Services | 11 Aug 2009
National Consumer Credit Protection Bill and ASIC releases Consultation Papers on ACL licensing requirements
Further to our update of 29 April 2009 on the proposed National Credit Reform draft legislation, the Government introduced the National Consumer Credit Protection Bill (Bill)and associated legislation to Parliament on 25 June 2009. The Bill has passed the first and second reading stages and has been referred to a Senate Economics Committee which is conducting an inquiry into the Bill.