16 October 2023
The provision of credit to small business is critical to the success of the economy and the prosperity of Australians, and ABA members are committed to the success of Australia’s small business sector.
The ABA acknowledges AFCA’s work in developing a public approach to small business lending and understands that AFCA’s intention in publishing its approach to small business is to aid small business borrowers and lenders in understanding how AFCA currently approaches its determinations. However, there is a likelihood that the degree of prescription AFCA adopts in the draft SME Approach may have this effect and introduce a level of detail that goes beyond existing requirements under laws, standards, and codes.
We urge AFCA to adopt a principles-based approach based on established principles, standards, and requirements in small business lending, such as the BCOP, to ensure that lending to small businesses is not restricted and is consistent with existing requirements.
Latest articles
Banks continue to strongly support measures to allow companies and registered schemes to fulfil their legal obligations to hold meetings and execute documents using electronic means under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The ABA makes four key recommendations, including providing optionality for companies to host AGMs in either hybrid or wholly online formats; amendments to… Read more »
The ABA continues to support Australia’s credit reporting framework, which has benefits for both consumers seeking to build creditworthiness and providers of credit information in supporting a more comprehensive assessment of credit applications. The ABA makes 16 recommendations to the Review to improve the effectiveness of the Framework and support its expansion to all Buy… Read more »
The Australian Banking Association welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Help to Buy Scheme program directions. Home ownership remains an important financial and lifestyle goal for many Australians and policies that facilitate affordable and sustainable home ownership should remain at the centre of Australia’s housing policy agenda. The ABA notes the purpose of… Read more »