FinCap welcomes the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Bill and especially the incoming requirement that banks and insurers consider how their conduct could challenge the wellbeing of those unable to pay. Ruth Smithers is the Chief Executive of FinCap, an organisation supporting around 900 community...
Working for Families Tax Credits (WfFTC) need to truly work for whānau in Aotearoa. No tamariki should have to go without essentials because of inconsistent and confusing support systems and rules. In Aotearoa, 16.3 per cent1 of children are living in material hardship. A fit-for-purpose Working for...
FinCap welcomes the Government’s ongoing support for financial mentoring services in Aotearoa. The commitment to 21 million dollars (see page 144) over the next two years for financial mentors who are currently funded by the Ministry of Social Development means that these leaders in our communities...
What is 'A Day in the Life'? FinCap is running the ‘A Day in the Life’ programme as part of our partnership with New Zealand Bankers’ Association (NZBA). The aim of this project is to provide senior decision-makers in government, the banking sector and other stakeholders with...
No whānau in Aotearoa should have to endure extended hardship because of displacement or loss of work due to a health condition or disability. The Tripartite Working Group, which is comprised of Business New Zealand, the Government, and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions,...
Whānau should not face a position where lending that was always going to be unaffordable causes or compounds hardship. The onus must be on lenders to not disregard that collection on due repayments is likely to cause harm. We strongly recommend in this submission that lenders...
What’s the difference between a quantity surveyor and a financial mentor? “In commercial construction, a calculation error can be the end of your career,” says former senior financial mentor Iain Davies (pictured above). Iain clocked up 10 years working for his West Auckland community at CARE Waitakere,...
Everyone in Aotearoa should have easy access to helpful information when engaging with public services. FinCap strongly supports the need for plain language in official documents and websites. FinCap recommends that decision-makers also support work on inclusion and accessibility to essential services for all whānau in...
In a world where women are still struggling to meet the same level of financial wellbeing as men, one woman from Paeroa has been able to exceed these expectations for her whānau. Paeroa Budgeting Services – part of the Paeroa Community Support Trust (PCST) – have...
FinCap welcomes the Government’s ongoing commitment to safe lending. Laws requiring all lenders to have robust processes to only sell suitable and affordable loans will continue to prevent harm in our communities. This morning Minister Clark announced some practical updates that focus lenders by further clarifying...