Language Policy

Loan Buddy Financial Services (Pty) Ltd – Language Policy

1. Introduction

At Loan Buddy Financial Services (Pty) Ltd (“Loan Buddy”), we are committed to making financial services accessible to all South Africans. As a registered credit provider under the National Credit Act (NCA), we ensure that our communication is clear, transparent, and tailored to meet the diverse linguistic needs of our customers. Our core languages are English and Afrikaans, but we also offer certain documents in Xhosa upon request, ensuring broader accessibility to key financial information.

2. Consumer Rights under the National Credit Act

Section 63 of the National Credit Act entitles consumers to receive any documentation related to their credit agreement in an official language of their choice. At Loan Buddy, we strive to meet the needs of our customers by offering documentation in the following languages:

• English (Primary language)
• Afrikaans
• Xhosa (Available for specific documents upon request)

3. Language Policy Overview

To ensure we serve our diverse customer base effectively, Loan Buddy’s language practices are as follows:

• Primary Communication: English and Afrikaans are used for the majority of our communications, including loan agreements, customer support, and general correspondence.
• Xhosa Documentation: For customers who prefer Xhosa, we offer translations of essential documents such as:
• Credit Loan Agreements
• Pre-agreement Statements
• Debt Enforcement Notices (including Section 129 Notices)

4. Documents Available in Xhosa

Upon request, the following key documents are available in Xhosa:

• Pre-agreement Statement and Quotation: Provided to customers before they agree to a loan, ensuring full understanding of the terms and conditions.
• Credit Loan Agreements: Customers can request their credit agreements in Xhosa to ensure clarity before signing.
• Monthly Loan Statements: Sent in Xhosa for customers who prefer this language.
• Debt Enforcement Notices (including Section 129 Notices): These legal notices are essential for understanding debt-related actions and are available in Xhosa upon request.

5. Customer Support in Preferred Languages

We are committed to making communication seamless and easy for our customers. Loan Buddy’s customer service team is fully trained to assist you in English and Afrikaans, and we can provide explanations of key documents in Xhosa upon request. If you prefer to receive your loan documents or notices in Xhosa, please notify us at any stage of your application process, and we will accommodate your preference.

To request documents in Xhosa, please email us at support@loanbuddy.co.za or call 044 279 1151.

6. Implementation of the Language Policy

We’ve implemented this language policy to ensure that customers can access their key financial documents in a language they understand best. Here’s how we’re implementing this commitment:

• English and Afrikaans: Available for all general communications, marketing materials, and loan documents.
• Xhosa: Available on request for key legal and loan documents to ensure accessibility for all our customers.

7. Conclusion

At Loan Buddy, we believe that clear communication is at the heart of responsible lending. Our Language Policy ensures that customers can access important financial information in their preferred language, giving them the confidence to make informed financial decisions.

We regularly review and update this Language Policy to ensure it remains relevant and meets the needs of our growing and diverse customer base.

For any language-related queries, requests, or concerns, please contact us at support@loanbuddy.co.za or call us at 044 279 1151. We’re here to help make borrowing as simple, clear, and accessible as possible.