Pepper Money accredited under AFIA Finance Industry Code of Practice

Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has welcomed Pepper Money as the first organisation to be accredited under its Finance Industry Code of Practice, marking a key milestone in the rollout of the first whole-of-industry code for Australia’s non-bank lending and specialist banking sector.

The AFIA Code is designed to raise standards across the finance industry, setting new expectations around integrity, transparency and fairness in the way lenders interact with customers and small businesses. Accreditation signals that a provider has aligned its policies, systems and operations with the requirements of the code.

AFIA chief executive Diane Tate said Pepper Money’s accreditation demonstrates early leadership as the sector works toward full implementation.

“This is an important moment for Australia’s finance industry,” Tate said. “By being the first to complete accreditation, Pepper Money is leading the way in lifting standards and embedding the commitments of the AFIA Code into its operations.”

The code is intended to strengthen consumer protections while improving industry practices in areas including clearer communication with customers, scam and fraud prevention, responsible use of technology and better support for customers experiencing financial hardship or vulnerability.

Tate also recognised the role of Mario Rehayem, CEO of Pepper Money and chair of AFIA, in advancing higher standards within the organisation and across the wider industry.

“I acknowledge Mario Rehayem for his leadership and commitment to raising industry standards, within his business and across our industry,” she said.

The Finance Industry Code of Practice will take full effect from 1 October 2026, with AFIA members currently in a transition period as they align internal processes with the new requirements.

Accreditation is conducted independently by the Finance Industry Code Compliance Committee (FICCC), which assesses whether organisations meet the standards set out in the code.

AFIA said that as more lenders achieve accreditation, Australian consumers and small businesses will gain greater confidence that specialist finance providers are operating under clear standards of conduct, accountability and professionalism.