Start An Online Business Today!

online business laptop home office

Are you tired of working the same old 9 to 5? Want to be your own boss? Go digital! Get online and start your business today! Money doesn’t define happiness, especially when it comes to career. A lot of the time, job satisfaction is far more important than payday. Ask yourself: are you happy in […]

Decorate Your Home In Style, While On A Budget!

lamp on a side table in a white bedroom

Renovating your home can be very expensive, particularly if there are structural issues at play. Sometimes, these renovations need to be set back by weeks, months or years to ensure you have the finances to cover the cost. But when you are in the headspace of renovating, all you really want to do is get […]

Where To Get A Personal Loan Fast?

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Where else but Cigno Loans? Cigno is an industry leader in responsible lending, providing various personal loan products designed to suit the needs of various people. There is no one loan fits all approach. We offer short-term cash advances of up to $1000. You may be wondering why you need to get a personal loan? The […]

Strange Ways To Save!

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Now that we are well and truly into 2018, what are you doing to keep those coins in your back pocket? Looking to buy a house? A new car? A splurge item? Whatever is on your ‘need’ or ‘want’ list is achievable, you just need to know how. Not purchasing the smaller items like coffees […]

Places to Put On Your Travel Bucket List for 2018!

planning travels on world map

Now that we are firmly into the new year, where are you planning on going to escape? Everyone needs a holiday, and if you are like a large percentage of Australians, you like to travel overseas. Whatever it is you enjoy—relaxing, adventure, hot or cold climates—there is something on this list for everyone. Save up […]

5 Simple Credit Card Debt Solutions

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You have a huge amount of credit card debt, and you have no idea how you’re going to pay it off. In fact, the amount you owe is so overwhelming that you’ve been avoiding the issue altogether. If this sounds like you, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone in your stress. In fact, the average Australian […]

NOTIFICATION OF MISCONDUCT BY CIGNO AUSTRALIA

Ordered by the Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia has found that Cigno Australia Pty Ltd (Cigno Australia) and BSF Solutions Pty Ltd (BSF Solutions) have breached the law by engaging in unlicensed credit activity and charging prohibited fees.

In the period from July 2022 to 3 October 2023, over 100,000 consumers have been lent a total of $34 million, and charged fees of over $70 million, under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’ operated by BSF Solutions and Cigno Australia. At no time has either BSF Solutions or Cigno Australia held an Australian Credit Licence.

The Court also found that Mark Swanepoel (director of Cigno Australia) and Brenton James Harrison (director of BSF Solutions) were involved in these breaches of the law.

With effect from 24 May 2024, the Court has granted permanent injunctions preventing Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions from:

  • demanding, receiving or accepting fees or charges, including amounts of loan principal, from consumers in relation to credit provided under the ‘No Upfront Charge Model’; and
  • engaging in further credit activity pursuant to the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’, including by entering into new agreements with consumers, for so long as they do not hold an Australian Credit Licence.

Cigno Australia was ordered by the Court to, by 5th July 2024, send written communications to consumers who between July 2022 and December 2022 entered into agreements with Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’.

The Court will later determine whether (among other things) Cigno Australia and Mark Swanepoel ought to pay a pecuniary penalty in respect of this conduct, and whether Mark Swanepoel should be restrained from carrying on a business engaging in credit activity.

Cigno Australia, BSF Solutions, Mr Swanepoel and Mr Harrison intend to appeal the decision of the Court and have filed an application for leave to appeal. If the appeal is successful, some or all of the orders of the Federal Court of Australia may be set aside.

Where can you get more information?

Where to go for further support

You can access legal advice in your state at: Free legal advice – Moneysmart.gov.au.

If you are experiencing trouble with debt, or money worries in general, contact:

  • the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or online chat (9:30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

If you need someone to talk to, contact:

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or their crisis support online chat or
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 (24 hours) or their webchat