The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released a report detailing changes made by the big four banks to remove unfair terms from their small business loan contracts of up to $1 million. The report, Unfair contract terms and small business loans, also provides detailed guidance to bank and non-bank small business lenders about compliance with […]
Although we have come a long way as a society when it comes to our currency system, our agreed upon form of exchange for goods and services continues to evolve. Business is increasingly done online, and transactions are rarely face-to-face or finalised with a solid handshake. Plus, the way we pay for services has changed […]
The Federal Government will appoint former senator Helen Coonan as the inaugural chair of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), established to provide small businesses and consumers with access to a free, fast and binding dispute resolution service for financial complaints. [Related: New Financial Complaints Authority will improve small businesses access to justice] Minister for […]
A report outlining steps being taken by fintech lenders to increase transparency and disclosure has been released by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate Carnell, in partnership with FinTech Australia and theBankDoctor.org. The report, Fintech lending to small and medium sized enterprises: Improving transparency and disclosure, looks at the different approaches to […]
Former Small Business Minister Michael McCormack has been sworn in as the Deputy PM, having secured the leadership of the Nationals in the wake of Barnaby Joyce’s resignation. According to Fairfax, McCormack has signalled he will seek to reverse the Turnbull Government’s decision to move the small business ministry to the cabinet in 2015. […]
Security is an ever-increasing threat for organisations and individuals and with the introduction of the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme (NDB) on Thursday (22 February), data security is now firmly on the agenda of businesses across Australia. While the scheme applies specifically to Australian businesses that have an annual turnover of more than three million […]
The passage of legislation establishing the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will result in small businesses having access to “free, fast and binding” dispute resolution, according to Small Business Minister Craig Laundy. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First – Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill establishes a one-stop shop for the resolution […]
Small businesses are falling short of meeting the needs and wants of digital-savvy customers due to a reliance on gut feelings and traditional ways of operating, according to Telstra Executive Director, Small Business, Brendan Donohoe. Commenting on the 2018 Telstra Small Business Intelligence Report, Donohoe said there was a gap between what customers want and […]
There’s no argument about it. Cyber security is tough for small and medium sized businesses. Most SMBs don’t have a dedicated IT staff member, meaning it falls on the owner or manager to be on top of computer security matters. One of the key milestones in cyber security is the upcoming data breach laws in […]
ANZ will refund $10.2 million to more than 52,000 business-held credit card accounts due to a failure to properly disclose fees and interest charges, according to financial services regulator ASIC. The bank reported to ASIC that it had failed to disclose – or had incorrectly disclosed – the following information to some of its ‘Business […]
