The Credit Information Register Bill 2026 passed its second reading in Parliament on Thursday evening, receiving majority support from members.

The bill, introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, seeks to establish a national Credit Information Register to be maintained by the Central Bank of Samoa.

The Speaker of the House, Auapaau Aloitafua Mulipola, presided over the sitting, which was held at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (TATTE) on Thursday. Auapaau told the House that the bill will proceed to the committee stage for further consideration before returning to Parliament.

Under the proposed legislation, the Central Bank would be responsible for collecting, maintaining and distributing credit information through the register.

The bill also sets out provisions for the oversight and reporting of credit data, the recording of information within the register and the conditions under which credit providers can access the information.

According to the bill’s objectives, the register is intended to help lenders make better-informed decisions about borrowers' creditworthiness. The bill is expected to allow financial institutions and other credit providers to better assess lending risks, helping reduce bad loans while improving access to finance for borrowers.

The Credit Information Register Bill was debated in the House previously in 2024 and was put forward by the former Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai.