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Victorian President's Report by Belinda James, Former Victorian President

The Victorian Branch of the FBAA held its first meeting on November 12th in Armidale. Belinda James was elected State President, Peter Flakus Vice President, Anne Butler Secretary/Treasurer and Richard Houston Council Member. Congratulations and thanks to those Office Bearers.

Other guests at the meeting were Ian Clyde from Consumer Affairs Victoria, Peter Flanagan from Bluestone Mortgages, Joe Talarto, State President of the Asset Finance Association, Daryl Hill of LaTrobe Home Loans, Tracey Rasmussen of ANZ Commercial Origination, Mark Rayson, Regional Manager of Esanda and Chrissy Kneebone from Plan Australia.

Also attending was FBAA CEO Ray Weir and National Treasurer, Rocco Massaria.

Ian Clyde discussed the Consumer Credit (Victoria) Act 1995 and the work of the UCCC Management Committee, of which he is Chairperson. Ian advised that Victoria was actively participating in the formulation of a uniform national means of regulating the finance broking industry.

The FBAA Victorian Branch will maintain contact with Ian in the year ahead t ensure ongoing industry participation in the process.

The involvement in the State Council lenders representing the residential and commercial mortgage area, equipment finance, non-conforming loan and private mortgage sectors was seen as essential to the future development of FBAA policy on regulation, setting practice standards and reviewing training content.

Several functions will be arranged for the first half of next year, which will be open to both members and non-members, and will feature guest speakers on issues important to finance brokers.

With the continuing emergence of finance brokers, we are committed to raising the profile and standards of the finance broking industry. Over the next few months our objective will be to substantially increase the number of Victorian FBAA members.

We encourage you to join the FBAA and become involved and informed about future education, regulation and development of the finance broking industry.

Belinda James
Former Victorian President
December 2003