ASIC sharpens concentrate on credit score and debt administration

The Australian Securities and Investments Fee (ASIC) is warning credit score suppliers and debt administration companies – together with these geared for the automotive trade – that sturdy, focused motion is anticipated in coming months in opposition to predatory lending, high-cost credit score and misconduct impacting customers experiencing monetary issue.

The warning comes after ASIC’s enforcement and regulatory replace highlighted greater than $30 million in civil penalties secured by ASIC, in addition to the graduation and finalisation of court docket proceedings in opposition to some credit score suppliers within the first quarter of 2023.

ASIC continues to sharpen its concentrate on credit score suppliers and debt administration companies, together with those that are unlicensed or ‘fringe’ entities, says deputy chair Sarah Courtroom.

“Credit score suppliers and debt administration companies that look to benefit from susceptible customers are in our sights and we anticipate additional motion within the coming months in opposition to operators on this space.

“ASIC’s enforcement motion in opposition to predatory lending shouldn’t be restricted to court docket motion,” she warns.

“We’ll proceed to make use of our full suite of powers to guard customers seeking to entry credit score. This might be through a cease order for breaching the monetary product design and distribution necessities or might be warning the corporate immediately through our monitoring and surveillance packages.”

It has additionally launched its first court docket proceedings in relation to alleged greenwashing conduct and has issued greater than $140,000 in infringement notices previously six months in response to issues about alleged greenwashing.

“The enforcement outcomes of the final quarter replicate that we are going to not hesitate to take swift motion the place we see misconduct that harms customers or undermines market integrity.

“The place acceptable, we can even check new areas of the legislation, as we’re doing with our greenwashing and whistle-blower circumstances,” says Courtroom.

ASIC has additionally offered steerage to the trade to assist with higher compliance relating to obligations and to ship improved outcomes for customers.