In summary, the Design and Distribution Obligations (DDO), introduced in October 2021, require financial product issuers to:

• Define a clear target market;
• Ensure products are distributed appropriately;
• Monitor and review product performance and distribution outcomes.

ASIC enforces these rules to protect retail investors from acquiring unsuitable financial products.

More information about the Design and Distribution Obligations is available on ASIC’s website.

La Trobe Financial has a robust DDO Governance Framework and conducts regular reviews of its TMDs and Governance Framework, including with the support of multiple external counsel.

In summary, a TMD outlines:

• Who the product is suitable for;
• How it should be distributed;
• Conditions for reviewing its suitability.

More information about Target Market Determinations is available on ASIC’s website.

• Existing investors: No impact. Investments continue to earn monthly interest, and redemptions are paid on time and in full.
• New investors: Certain investors (retail only, investing less than $500,000) must complete a Customer Attributes Questionnaire to confirm their suitability to invest in the products.

Yes. La Trobe Financial remains:

• Financially robust, built on 70 years of conservative fundamentals;
• Highly diversified, with quality assets and strong liquidity; and
• Transparent, with monthly portfolio data available online.

The stop orders were not a reflection of asset quality or performance.

Yes. La Trobe Direct was temporarily taken offline to ensure that La Trobe Financial could comply with ASIC’s orders. It has now been fully restored, allowing both new investments and account management.

No. We continued to pay redemptions on time and in full during the period of the interim stop orders.  We continue to hold ample liquidity within the La Trobe Australian Credit Fund and the business more broadly.

No. Due to the interim stop orders and being unable to accept new investments, the rating agencies placed the relevant product ratings on watch.  We are working expediently with rating agencies to have those ratings reinstated now that those stop orders have been lifted.  We are taking the same approach with investment platforms.

For any media related enquiries, please contact:

• Antonietta Sestito – Chief People & Marketing Officer +61 491 157 148 or
• Viran Azad – Head of Corporate Affairs & Sponsorships +61 437 123 880.