All lenders need to review their loan agreements following the release of ASIC's Report 565 into 'Unfair Contract Terms and Small Business Loans'.

Unfair contract term protections for consumers were extended to cover standard form small business contracts entered into, or renewed, on or after 12 November 2016.

REP 565 sets out the changes made by the big four banks to remove unfair terms from their small business loan contracts of up to $1 million – see the table below.

ASIC intends to examine other lenders' loan contracts to ensure that their contracts do not contain terms that raise concerns under the unfair contract terms law. Although these initiatives relate to small business contracts, it is likely that courts, EDRs and ASIC will have similar expectations in relation to consumer loans, and so it is timely for lenders' to also consider reviewing those contracts.

Issue

Provision

Change

Entire agreement clauses

Clauses that state that the contract represents all of the rights and obligations between the parties.

Delete this clause. This recognises that customers often rely on other agreements or representations made by lenders.

Broad indemnification clauses

Clauses that require borrowers to cover losses, costs and expenses incurred due to the fraud, negligence or wilful misconduct of the lender, its employees or agents or a receiver appointed by the lender.

Delete this clause. Often existing general indemnity clauses in loan agreements will need amendment so that the indemnity does not apply in these cases.

Event of default clauses

Material adverse change default clauses and some other non-monetary default clauses.

Delete material adverse change default clauses. Consider limiting other non-monetary default clauses.

Financial indicator covenants

Clauses that entitle the lender to call a default based on a breach of some financial indicator covenant such as loan-to-valuation ratio (LVR).

Limit or remove financial indicator covenants except for specialised loans such as property development, margin lending and foreign currency loans. Qualify other such covenants by agreeing not to call a default unless that breach creates a material credit risk for the lender.

Unilateral variation clauses

Clauses that give lenders a broad ability to vary contracts without agreement from the borrower.

Limit variation clauses to specific defined circumstances set out in the contract (eg interest rate changes). Where such a variation would cause the borrower to want to exit the contract by repaying or refinancing, provide a period of between 30 and 90 calendar days for the borrower to do so before the variation takes effect.

Dentons have established a system to cost effectively review loan contracts. Lenders should act promptly to reduce the risk of complaint and reputational damage. If a provision is found unjust, it will be void.

Graduate Elouise Casey contributed to this article.

Dentons is the world's first polycentric global law firm. A top 20 firm on the Acritas 2015 Global Elite Brand Index, the Firm is committed to challenging the status quo in delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value in new and inventive ways. Driven to provide clients a competitive edge, and connected to the communities where its clients want to do business, Dentons knows that understanding local cultures is crucial to successfully completing a deal, resolving a dispute or solving a business challenge. Now the world's largest law firm, Dentons' global team builds agile, tailored solutions to meet the local, national and global needs of private and public clients of any size in more than 125 locations serving 50-plus countries. www.dentons.com.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.