Applicant(s)
- CUSTOMER OWNED BANKING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Target(s)
| Target | Notification number | Date lodged |
|---|---|---|
| Widget Works Pty Ltd | CB10000486-1 |
Notification number(s)
- CB10000486
Summary
The Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) lodged a notification for collective bargaining on 15 January 2024. COBA is an industry association for Australia’s customer-owned banking institutions, which include mutual banks, credit unions and building societies. COBA currently comprises 56 members.
COBA has lodged the notification on behalf of a subset of its members known as Small Australian Mutuals (SAM) to enable Shared Services Partners Pty Ltd (SSP), a procurement company, to negotiate with potential providers of a Loan Serviceability Calculator for SAM members.
Specifically, SSP will (on behalf of current and future SAM Members), negotiate directly with Widget Works, or such other third-party providers of a replacement Loan Serviceability Calculator (Target), in relation to:
- the requirements and functionality for the base model replacement Loan Serviceability Calculator as per the requirements of, and advised by, current and future SAM Members (SSP will also negotiate additional specific customisations and requirements on behalf of individual SAM Members if required), and
- the terms of the contractual arrangements applying to each current and future SAM Member that agrees to enter into an arrangement with the Target for the replacement Loan Serviceability Calculator. It is intended that, given the nature of the procurement of the Loan Serviceability Calculator, that contractual arrangements will be largely based on the Target’s standard terms with differences largely limited to the functional requirements of the Loan Serviceability Calculator, any specific implementation requirements, and pricing.
The notified conduct does not include a collective boycott and participation by SAM members is voluntary.
Legal protection provided by the notification commenced on 29 January 2024.
On 24 April 2024, the ACCC issued a Statement of Reasons for its decision to allow the notification to remain in force for a period of 10 years, until 14 January 2034, unless or until the ACCC ends the protection provided by the notification or the notification is withdrawn by COBA.
Notifications
| Document title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Notification |
Decisions
| Document title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Statement of Reasons |
ACCC correspondence
| Document title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| ACCC to Interested Parties re Statement of Reasons |