The Australian Banking Association has released a consultation paper on the use of credit cards for gambling, a further step in its new-found soft marketing approach. The ABA has set out a series of questions covering risks and concerns; restrictions and prohibitions; which forms of gambling should be included; potential consequences of any limitations; and whether a transition period should apply if banks choose to implement changes. In a tacit recognition that not enough has been done to date, ABA chief executive Anna Bligh said the feedback from the community "will then help banks as they each consider further reform on this issue". Submissions on the topic are due by March 4, 2020. Merricks Capital has launched into the New Zealand business lending market with a NZ$140 million refinance of the Van Leeuwen Group dairy operation. According to Adrian Redlich, CEO of Merricks Capital, an Australian funds manager and property financier, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's proposal to raise banks' capital ratios "presents opportunities for both borrowers and investors as large, incumbent banks are forced out of the market". The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited, trading as Uniting Financial Services, has priced a A$30 million Sustainable Development Goals series of 10-year medium term notes. According to ANZ, the sole lead manager for the transaction, this is the first SDG bond issued by a not-for-profit organisation in Australia. The notes, with final maturity date of 12 December 2029 and a first call date of 12 December 2024, were priced at par, and will pay a coupon of 3.25 per cent over the 3-month bank bill swap rate. These securities, funding progress towards a set of economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability targets agreed to by all UN members, will qualify as "green bonds". The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has published its third statistical report on peer-to-peer lending (P2P) and crowdfunding services in New Zealand. It shows increasing participation in P2P lending services and decreasing participation in crowdfunding services. PledgeMe and The Snowball Effect are the most prominent crowdfunding service providers, while P2P lending service providers saw a 73 percent increase in registered borrowers and a 12% increase in the total value of outstanding loans. Harmoney remains the largest provider, it facilitated 72 percent of all outstanding loans by value.