AFIA welcomes first accredited member under Finance Industry Code of Practice
26 February 2026
The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) today congratulated Pepper Money on becoming the first organisation to be accredited under AFIA’s Finance Industry Code of Practice, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the first whole-of-industry code for Australia’s non-bank lending and specialist banking sector.
The AFIA Code represents a major uplift in standards and sets a new benchmark for integrity, transparency and fairness across the finance industry. Accreditation under the AFIA Code reflects a commitment to stronger customer protections, clearer communication and improved outcomes for consumers and small businesses.
AFIA CEO Diane Tate said Pepper Money’s accreditation demonstrates strong leadership and a clear commitment to meeting the higher expectations established by the AFIA Code.
“This is an important moment for Australia’s finance industry. 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 AFIA Code delivers real benefits for customers and small businesses through clearer communication, stronger scam and fraud protections, responsible use of technology, and better support for those experiencing financial hardship or vulnerability.”
“I acknowledge Mario Rehayem, CEO of Pepper Money CEO and Chair of AFIA, for his leadership and commitment to raising industry standards, within his business and across our industry.”
“As more members complete accreditation, Australians can have greater confidence they are dealing with specialist finance providers that adhere to high standards of conduct, accountability and professionalism”, Ms Tate said.
The AFIA Code will take full effect from 1 October 2026, with members currently in transition as they align systems, policies and practices with the standards set by the AFIA Code. Accreditation is conducted independently by the Finance Industry Code Compliance Committee (FICCC).
The AFIA Finance Industry Code of Practice can be viewed here.