Proposed revisions to draft TCC amendment law

RNS Number : 8326S

International Personal Finance Plc

13 July 2015

 



13 July 2015

INTERNATIONAL PERSONAL FINANCE PLC ("IPF" or the "Company")

IPF NOTES RECENTLY PROPOSED REVISIONS TO DRAFT TOTAL COST OF CREDIT AMENDMENT LAW IN POLAND

In August 2013, the Ministry of Finance in Poland issued draft proposals containing amendments to Polish consumer finance law. The draft proposals and subsequent updates were adopted by the Government in May 2015 and included a cap on all mandatory, non-interest costs charged for a consumer loan as part of the total cost of credit.    

As previously announced, IPF developed a product which addressed and complied with the draft legislation prepared by the Government.

Following an intervention by a Member of Parliament of the ruling party late in the process, on 10 July the Lower Chamber of the Polish Parliament voted in favour of revisions to the draft law that would cap all non-interest costs, whether mandatory or not.  If the legislation is enacted as currently drafted, IPF believes that all non-interest costs in connection with a consumer loan agreement may be subject to the cap.  

The level of the cap has not changed from the prior draft: (i) a flat level of 25% of the loan value; and (ii) an additional cap of 30% per annum. The combined total of the flat 25% and the time-dependent 30% p.a. may not, in any event, exceed 100% of the loan value.  Pursuant to the current draft of the amendments, interest would continue to be capped at four times the Lombard Rate.  In addition, a new cap on penalty interest (six times Lombard Rate) and restrictions on additional loans entered into within a period of 120 days of an existing loan would apply.  

IPF is reviewing the draft legislation to assess whether its product structure will be affected by the proposed cap.  In addition, we are proactively developing an alternative product structure to mitigate any adverse financial impact to the greatest extent possible. Dependent on legal interpretation of the final version, however, there can be no assurance that the legislation, if introduced in its present form, would not have some adverse financial impact on IPF.

The draft law will now go to the Upper Chamber of Parliament, where it can be accepted, amended or recommended for withdrawal. If the Upper Chamber supports the draft legislation it will go to the President, who then has 21 days to sign the legislation into law, withdraw or send it to the Supreme Court.  According to the current draft of the legislation, it would become effective and lenders would be required to comply from six months after signature by the President.

IPF will keep the market updated and further details will be communicated in due course.  IPF will be reporting its interim results for the six months ending 30 June 2015 on Wednesday 29 July 2015.

International Personal Finance will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 07:45hrs (BST) today, Monday 13 July. 

Dial-in (UK)	[phone]
Dial-in (US)	877-857-6151
Confirmation code	2621778

An audio recording will be available at www.ipfin.co.uk/investors from 14 July 2015.

Investor relations and media contacts:

International Personal Finance	Rachel Moran - Investor Relations [phone] / [phone] Gergely Mikola - Media ([phone]
FTI Consulting	Neil Doyle [phone] / [phone] Paul Marriott [phone] / [phone]

 

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