Since it opened its doors on 1 November, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) reported it received over 13,000 phone enquiries, and 6,522 complaints from consumers and small businesses about financial products or services.
The regulatory body said it averaged 310 complaints per business day, and experienced an increase of more than 47 per cent in complaints received compared to its predecessors.
CEO and chief ombudsman, David Locke, said the number of calls and complaints was on par with what AFCA was expecting, and around 15 per cent of the complaints received in the month had been finalised already.
AFCA said the majority of complaints (45 per cent) were about credit, with general insurance causing some distress (21 per cent), followed by deposit taking (10 per cent) and superannuation (eight per cent).
Consumers showed their angst with the banks, with 2,367 complaints aimed at banks, 1,159 complaints aimed at general insurers and 1,040 complaints aimed at credit providers.
Locke said AFCA was currently investigating 84 definite systemic issues and four potential serious contraventions and other breaches.
While the Financial Advice Association Australia said it supports a performance testing regime “in principle”, it holds reservations about expanding this scope to retirement products.
In a Senate submission, the Financial Services Council said super funds should be able to nudge members on engaging with their super and has cautioned against default placements.
The Joint Associations Working Group, which counts FSC in its ranks, has issued an urgent warning to the government.
Senator Jane Hume will join the speaker lineup at the inaugural Australian Wealth Management Summit.
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