• Australia is combatting scams through strengthened consumer
  protections, cybersecurity measures, and public awareness
• Key reforms include enhanced financial regulations, data
  breach notifications, and initiatives like Scamwatch to
  educate and safeguard the public

• Analyse gaps in existing laws and codes, highlighting areas
  where regulation is lacking or outdated
• Review and assess the anticipated ASIC report on secondtier banks
• Explore relevant insights and best practices from the US, UK,
  Singapore, and New Zealand, focusing on how these countries
  address similar challenges in their regulatory frameworks

• Did the regulatory changes which took effect on 1 April 2024
  really change anything?
• What are the different provisions which apply to different
  categories of documents/information?
• When is the equivalent of the ‘publish and notify’ method of
  delivery, which is available for deposit and access products,
  available for NCC-regulated products?
• Is there a need for further reform?

• Unlike other providers of credit, pawnbrokers are largely
  exempt from national consumer credit laws
• The pawnbroking industry is opaque and the extent of harm
  caused by pawn loans can be difficult to see, particularly as more
  people are relying on this form of credit in a cost of living crisis
• Some reflections from Consumer Action’s frontline work

• Examine the evolving landscape of financial hardship in Australia, emphasising early intervention and proactive strategies.
• Highlight the importance of identifying mortgage stress early and collaborating with customers to improve their financial situation before hardship escalates.
• Emphasize customer-centric communication and financial products that preempt hardship, such as low-interest emergency loans and flexible refinancing.
• Discuss the integration of mental health resources to address the emotional impacts of financial stress.

• New Zealand’s journey under the Credit Contracts and
  Consumer Finance Act 2003 from principles-based
  regulation to prescription and back again
• How the Commerce Commission enforcement approach has
  adapted to the changes

• Provide a caseworker perspective on how the rise of digital
  financial services has impacted financial abuse
• Outline the current legal framework to address financial
  abuse
• Propose ways to improve processes to identify financial
  abuse when credit is applied for, and to respond to
  complaints of financial abuse

• The evolving regulatory landscape and its impact on BNPL
  providers and consumers
• Initiatives are being launched to educate consumers about
  the risks and benefits of BNPL services, encouraging
  responsible usage and financial planning
• Emerging trends and the future direction of the BNPL market

• The AI opportunity for credit: greater efficiency, improved
  accuracy, and personalised customer experiences
• Legal and compliance issues including responsible AI
  governance, privacy, bias and discrimination, errors
• How existing laws apply to use of AI
• AI regulatory developments in Australia and internationally:
  balancing innovation and risk

• An overview of the BCOP 2025 changes
• Consider the operation of BCoP in light of emerging trends in
  banking, such as digital banking, fintech, and open banking
• Analyse how the BCoP influences the operations, policies,
  and customer interactions of banks and other financial
  institutions
• Examine the role of the BCoP in enhancing consumer
  protection and promoting ethical banking practices

• The sources of obligation for credit industry participants
• The key themes for privacy reform and practice (including the push for ‘fair and reasonable handling’ personal of information)
• Protection of data from collection to destruction

Overview of proposed reforms to substantive AML/CTF
obligations of lenders.

• Distribution Obligations as a framework for advertising
• Advertising in an evolving digital ecosystem

• How social media is influencing consumer decision-making
  for financial products
• Breaking down the demographics of each platform. Where is
  the future growth?
• Understanding the role of influencers on consumer
  purchasing decisions
• Regulating financial influencers – recent Australian cases