The National Credit Act replaces the Usury Act, 73 of 1968, the Credit Agreements Act, Act 75 of 1980 and the Integration of Usury Laws Act, 57 of 1996, which was the primary legislation governing the granting of credit within the financial services industry since 1968.
In essence, the National Credit Act is designed to promote a fair and non-discriminatory marketplace in South Africa. As such, credit providers are supposed to do everything in their power to ensure that the manner in which they grant credit always upholds the intentions and requirements of the legislation, while still meeting the varied lending requirements of all its clients in a responsible manner.
This area of law aims to provide protection for laypersons unfamiliar with their legal rights and in an unequal bargaining position to that of big business.
What benefit will you or your business gain from the National Credit Act in South Africa?