Number 3 | April 2012
NCRDEBTHELP System Function
DISCONTINUATION OF CURRENT NCRDEBTHELP SYSTEM FUNCTION The purpose of this circular is to inform all debt counsellors and registered credit bureaus of the intention of the NCR to discontinue the function of the “ncrdebthelp” system by no later than 30th September 2012. Access to the system will be deactivated by the latest, end of the business day 30 September 2012. While in the infancy of debt review, the NCR has assisted with this function and the time has come for the function to be taken over by the industry. The current debt help system function is separate from other systems used in the debt counselling sector – viz. DCRS, PDA systems, debt review systems offered by software suppliers and also other customised systems which exist in larger debt counselling organisations. This disaggregated systems approach is suboptimal and results in some information needs going unsatisfied; hence the appropriate place for the provision of this service is within the industry. The NCR plans to adopt an approach which will (i) afford the industry the opportunity of addressing its own information needs directly and (ii) position the NCR clearly in its role of regulator. In July 2011, the Debt Review Advisory Committee was advised of the NCR’s intentions and as a result, the NDMA was earmarked as the possible new host under the same governance structure as the Debt Counselling Rules Solution (DCRS). The NDMA Board subsequently agreed to include this functionality as part of their plans and systems to service the industry. Note that it remains a statutory obligation as per Section 86(4) (b) (ii) of the National Credit Act for debt counsellors to notify credit bureaus of debt review applications, regardless of whether or not
This document is available from www.ncr.org.za
NCRDEBTHELP System Function
the intended NDMA solution is in place. Should it occur that the NDMA solution is not in place or operational by 30 September 2012, debt counsellors and credit bureaus would need to devise the most appropriate means of satisfying the statutory requirements. This circular serves as an advance advisory in respect of this continued requirement. During the period leading up to the termination of the current debt help system, the NCR will endeavour to support the industry in the process of effecting the anticipated systems changes. The NDMA has already issued tender for the procurement of a service provider to action the new system and will in due course communicate its plans in terms of the project. In the interim, should there be any urgent concerns in regard to this notification you are kindly requested to contact the under listed parties for assistance: 1. NDMA: Caroline Smith
Tel: 086 111 6362 email: carolines@ndma.org.za
2. NCR: Sibusiso Nhangombe Tel: 011 554 2728 email: snhangombe@ncr.org.za
Disclaimer: While the NCR has taken reasonable care to ensure the factual accuracy of this circular, it cannot guarantee such accuracy especially with regards to future events. Accordingly, NCR does not accept any liability for damages incurred by any party as a result of decisions or actions taken on the basis of information supplied in this Circular.
NCR Guideline 001/2012
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