RMBL Investments Newsletter — June 2021
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What a year!
RMBL finished the 2020/21 financial year strong, with funds under management of close to $1.2 billion and a record month of lending in June reaching close to $100 million.
It is anticipated that we will continue to see strong lending over the next three months as we settle new loans in the pipeline.
We have also set ourselves up well to continue growing over the next year and beyond by implementing a new software platform. Completion of this project means we can start developing portals for our Members and Borrowers to access details of their investments and/or loans at any time of the day or night. We will bring you further details as we move forward with this project.
We thank you for your support over the past financial year and look forward to continuing to work with you over the next financial year.
Annual statements
Annual statements have been issued and you should have received yours by now. If you are missing your statement or have any questions about your statements, please contact:
Andre Bokos
(03) 9213 5704 or
0419 754 872
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Dawn Arendse
(03) 9213 5708 or
0456 719 609
Economic Update
Whilst COVID-19 continues to pervade our everyday lives, the property market as a whole is doing remarkably well. There continues to be pent up demand due to COVID-19 lockdowns and with historically low interest rates property market conditions are very strong both in Victoria and interstate. Residential estates whilst experiencing a slowdown during lockdowns, continue to achieve high sales rates. Development projects that RMBL are involved with are being accelerated to keep up with demand.
Interest Rates
As previously communicated, RMBL lowered its interest rates on existing and new loans from 16 June 2021 predominately due to significant competition in the non-bank lending space. Borrowers are actively seeking lower rates and with increased competition, RMBL has sought to protect the current Scheme loan book and to retain good quality Borrowers within RMBL.
Interest rates now range between 4.8–8.0% (although with fewer at the upper end of the range). You will see any reductions to loans you are currently invested in on your interest statement for July (which you should expect to receive around 22 July) and if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andre or Dawn.
Cyber Fraud Threats
Another reminder that given the sophistication of cyber criminals that we strongly suggest that, if you intend to electronically deposit funds to our Trust account, you call our office to verify any such email instructions before acting on the same.
Upcoming Regulatory Changes
As you may be aware, following the fall out of the Banking and Financial Services Royal Commission, the financial services industry is currently in the midst of a raft of regulatory change, with October being a busy month of change, including the implementation of Design and Distribution Obligations or DDO.
Under the DDO regime, RMBL is required to take reasonable steps to ensure that the RMBL Product is not distributed to those outside of the Target Market as set out in a document called a Target Market Determination which will be available on our website on or before 5 October 2021.
To meet our DDO requirements, we will also need to make some changes to our application process and forms, so you should expect to experience some changes for new applications from October. These changes will include additional questions designed to confirm you are within the Target Market.
Outside of work towards upcoming regulatory change, we are also in the process of reviewing and refreshing our policies and procedures. Therefore, you may also experience some changes to other interactions with RMBL to ensure we keep meeting our ever-changing regulatory obligations.
If you would like to help RMBL test that its Target Market Determinations are consumer friendly, please contact Andre or Dawn.
Project Focus
Location: 110 Elizabeth Drive, Rosebud, VIC
LVR: 66.66%
Presales: 23 out of 50 presales were achieved before RMBL were approached regarding the loan and construction commenced almost immediately after settlement took place.
RMBL’s Involvement: RMBL became involved when the Security Property was a proposed development site. Previously a caravan park of 24,412 square metres, the site had building plans for a proposed 50 townhouse development.
RMBL appointed a Quantity Surveyor to oversee the project.
Overview: This Security Property in Rosebud is surrounded by Rosebud Park Public Golf Course, Rosebud Tennis Club and Rosebud Bushland Reserve. The location is also central to a full range of services and facilities including the main retail precinct of Rosebud and locally based convenience stores within walking distance.
The 50 single-storey townhouses include 45 three bedroom and two bathrooms with areas between 121–132 square metres and 5 two bedroom and two bathrooms with an area of 108 square metres. Each townhouse will be complimented by rear private open space.
The Borrower subdivided and settled the first 14 townhouses before completing the remaining 36 townhouses.
With an average price just below $600,000 these townhouses were marketed and targeted for first home buyers.
Sponsorships
RMBL is a major sponsor of some charity and community events. Upcoming sponsorships include sponsoring events at:
· Racing Victoria — Rising Stars series — for further details, please see this link:
https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/news/2021-07-16/stage-set-on-saturday-for-rising-stars-finale
· Korumburra Bowls Club;
· Beaconsfield Upper Community Festival;
· Cabrini’s Golf Day in support of “let’s Beat Bowel Cancer”;
· Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills
· Hawthorn Football Club Past Players and Officials Association; and
· Royal Flying Doctor Service
Member Feedback
We are always interested in receiving suggestions and feedback on how we are servicing our Members.
Should you have any suggestions or feedback on how we can improve our communication or service, please inform us by email to team@rmbl.com.au or by calling us on 9213 5700.
