CONFERENCE ON OVER- INDEBTEDNESS AN OVERVIEW OF THE NCR S RESEARCH,AWARENESS & EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AS PART OF EXECUTING ITS MANDATE Nomsa Motshegare AUGUST 2010
Reckless lending National Credit Act became effective 1 June 2006 Marketing practices & disclosure Agreements & quotes National Credit Act 2 Enforcement & debt collection Debt counsellors Interest & fees Unlawful agreements, provisions Credit Bureaus National Credit Register
Education and Research Mandate NCR Mandate Research and Education AS per NCA, Chapter 2 section (16) Implement education and Information measures to develop public awareness of the provisions of the Act, Monitoring socio-economic patterns of consumer credit activity including identifying factors concerning over-indebtedness, patterns, causes& consequences of over-indebtedness. monitoring trends in the market including to advise government 3
NCR Research Initiatives Pricing and access to Consumer Credit (FEASibility). Impact of the NCA-The report concluded that the effective cost of credit has declinded in most of the primary categories of credit, with particularly significant declines in the cost of micro-loans and furniture finance and credit life insurance. Analysis of indebtedness levels across different income groups (BMR at Unisa). The report was conducted to uncover the indebtedness dynamics of South African consumers with specific emphasis on debt to disposable income dynamics, debt servicing dynamics, over-indebtedness and saving patterns. SME Access to Finance (PERC, leading international research firm). According to the report information solution can help bridge the divide between the formal and informal economies by putting much needed data in the hands of credit providers. This will be overcome when the National Credit Register is established. Debt counselling: problems, obstacles (Pta University). The project was undertaken by the UP Law Clinic. They looked at the debt counselling processes & the reasons for the backlogs and delays. This report informed interventions put in place to make debt counseling work. Impact of credit crisis on SA credit market (FEASibility). Identify categories of consumers who are most vulnerable & develop proposals for potential policy interventions. The financial crisis impacted on consumers and debt stress through job losses as well as through reduction of incomes, with the latter affecting a very broad range of people. 4
NCR Statistical releases Collect & disseminate information from credit bureaus & credit providers (sections 13, 16 et al) For the purpose of (a) monitoring trends by the NCR, other public entities & government, and (b) information for the credit industry to assess trends & risks Focus on dis-aggregation, to get better understanding of profile of credit granted, profile of consumers, access to different form of finance & changes over time 5
Credit Bureau Statistics & impaired records 18.21 million credit active consumers. For nearly 2 million people, credit records deteriorated over last 2 years Banks, retailers, doctors, dentists, municipalities all affected Ongoing increase in consumers with impaired records, from 38% in March 2008 to 46% in March 2010 6
Credit Provider Statistics Overview of consumer credit market Approximately R1.14 trillion consumer credit, provided to 18 million consumers & consisting of 35m accounts Registration 4120 credit providers with 33,500 branches 11 credit bureaus, managed 22 audits, 16,8 m data removals Mortgages biggest category, other secured next biggest (m/vehicles & furniture) 45.2% of credit in Gauteng, WC=15.0%, EC =6.4%, FS = 3.9%, KZN = 12.9%, LP =3.6%,MP = 6%, NC=1.6%, NW=4.1% Other = 1.% Credit facilities 11.04% Secured Credit 18.70% Outstanding balances Dec 2009 Un-Secured 4.82% Short Term 0.06% Mortgages 65.38% 7 Banks 90% of total, non-bank vehicle 3%, retailers 3% Gross loans outstanding Accounts Banks 90% 18.5 m Motor dealers 3% 273,000 Retailers 3% 15.1 m (exclude micro-lenders & other small providers) approx R1.1 trillion Banks 90%
WHY these research initiatives? Info collected from industry vital for intervention & policy formulation. Use as a basis for engaging with policy makers & advising government on state of consumer credit. Use as Feedback to the industry Use as a basis for engaging with government on new policy & other interventions. Guide NCR in terms of its focal areas as well as educational & awareness initiatives. 8
Consumer Awareness & Education Clear distinction - Awareness vs Education Awareness Use media (Print, Broadcast, Electronic and information sessions) Create an educated circle of journalists Develop radio scripts around different topics Advertising campaigns Presentations at information sessions & exhibitions Education Focus on consumer intermediaries (Trade Unions, NGO s, CBO s, EAP s etc Train the Trainer programme for the above Capacitate the above to enable them to advise & educate Constituencies Provide resource files for future reference 9
Consumer Awareness & Education cont.. Consumer protection- concurrent competency A need to ensure that level of cooperation is sustained for consumer benefit NCR part of the Consumer Protection Forum (Provinces & Regulators) Joint campaigns regularly launched through this platform e.g Spend/Borrow Wisely; Consumer Rights; Savings Campaigns; etc Thus- reach out to more consumers through these Campaigns 10
Consumer Education & Awareness Major Media Campaigns Spend/Borrow Wisely (December/January) World Consumer Rights Day/ Consumer Month (March) Workers Rights Month (May) Youth Month- Tertiary Institutions (June) Women s Month (August) Disability Month (November) 11
Consumer Awareness & Education cont Awareness & education Workshops: targeted government, NGO s, trade unions, employers, industry stakeholders, parliamentary constituencies and tribal authorities. 1 693 workshops. Print media & radio talk shows: broad coverage, simple messages, retention Radio Talk shows: 1311 TV appearances: 258 AVE: 274 330 233.96 Booklets & brochures (all official languages) Website: for sophisticated consumers 12
NCR publications in all official languages, available on www.ncr.org.za 13
Assessing our effectiveness Impact assessment (RUDO Retail): o Awareness of the NCA improved from 54% (2008) to 69% for 2009 & 2010. o Low income groups still recorded low awareness, however, awareness has increased, though still challenges in effective rural outreach. o Positive perception of effectiveness amongst both industry and consumer groups. 14
What does the above mean for South Africa? Integration of financial education into the school curriculum critical Inclusion of financial education at college and university level to prepare students for the real world. Collaborative efforts between government and financial sector to step up awareness and education amongst general public required. Continue to invest in creating educated circle of media as a conduit to support the above efforts. Coordinated and joint programmes amongst stakeholders with responsibility to do financial education maximum impact. Consistent monitoring and evaluation including addressing shortfalls identified. 15
CONCLUSION NCR already had significant impact in the short time since its establishment, with significant progress in all areas despite the huge challenge posed by the current levels of debt stress The huge level of support from civil society, trade unions, consumer groups & industry has made a noticeable impact in creating awareness and building consensus 16
Thank You! 17 www.ncr.org.za