More Australians will now have access to support from financial counsellors with the launch of the Financial Counselling Industry Fund (FCIF). The FCIF is the result of a collaboration between the financial counselling sector and a number of industries and companies - Australian Banking Association member banks, Australian Energy Council,…
Australians struggling with debt and cost-of-living pressures are turning to free and independent debt helplines in their thousands. Calls and chats to the National Debt Helpline (NDH) and the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) have soared over the past 12 months. Both services are coordinated by Financial Counselling Australia. “In…
Consumer groups respond to draft Buy Now, Pay Later legislation (BNPL) Quotes attributable to Karen Cox, CEO of Financial Rights Legal Centre “Today is a positive day for Australian consumers with the Government proposing draft legislation to treat Buy Now, Pay Later as what it really is - credit. Removing…
Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has made two formal complaints about the practise of integrated gambling advertisements in a popular family TV series. The gambling ads came from The Lott (owned by The Lottery Corporation) and promoted a product called ‘Set for Life’. They were aired during Survivor Australia on Network…
Bankwest branch closures may cause more harm. Financial counsellors and financial capability workers are concerned the closure of all Bankwest branches across Western Australia will cause financial harm to First Nations people and other vulnerable customers. Bankwest announced the closures yesterday as part of its transition to digital banking.…
A great start to gambling self-exclusion – we now need the program expanded Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed the news that thousands of people have already signed up for BetStop – the new online gambling exclusion register, but cautions there is much more to be done. The Federal…
Consumer advocates call on insurers to act now at flood insurance inquiry Urgent changes needed to improve claims handling process A number of consumer advocacy groups - including CHOICE, Financial Rights Legal Centre, Consumer Action Law Centre, and Financial Counselling Australia - will be the first to appear today…
After nearly 15 years in the role, Fiona Guthrie is stepping down as CEO of Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), the FCA board has announced. Fiona is leaving FCA to take up a new position as the CEO of Way Forward, a not-for-profit organisation that provides free assistance to people in…
At a glance Financial counsellors rated the hardship practices of the big four banks, non-major banks, non-bank lenders and debt collectors on a scale of one to 10 (1 being the lowest) The big four banks are best when it comes to treating customers in financial hardship, with scores of…
Financial Counselling Australia is delighted with today’s Government announcement about the establishment of an independent body to accept contributions from industry to fund financial counselling services. FCA CEO Fiona Guthrie said the announcement was momentous for the financial counselling sector, coming after years of advocacy. It is an important recognition…