Australia

Capital / Liquidity

APRA to Recommence Policy Work, Licensing Activity

By Editors | 10/08/2020

APRA will recommence public consultations on high-priority prudential policy reforms, and begin accepting new licence applications in September.

Market Infrastructure

Australia Unveils Cyber Security Strategy for 2020

By Editors | 06/08/2020

Law enforcement will receive funding to bolster its ability to go after cyber criminals, complemented by the use of AUSTRAC’s financial intelligence expertise to target their profits.

Market Infrastructure

Westpac to ‘Proactively’ Switch Merchants to Least Cost Routing

By Editors | 06/08/2020

The RBA has signalled it was considering taking regulatory action to force banks to move faster in moving merchants from Mastercard and Visa to lower cost networks.

Securities / Derivatives

ASX Concludes Consultation on CHESS Replacement Timeline

By Editors | 05/08/2020

A four-week consultation on a new timeline for the CHESS replacement project has found that 91% of users can be ready by April 2022.

Enforcement

CBA Increases Remediation Provisions Ahead of Full-Year Results

By Editors | 05/08/2020

Customer remediation provisions have been increased by A$300mn, bringing CBA’s total remediation bill to A$834. The full-year results are due on 12 August.

Enforcement

Australia: Former Financial Adviser Jailed for Six Years

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/08/2020

Graeme Walter Miller was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for misappropriating close to A$2mn for his own purposes.

Market Infrastructure

Australia Consults on Reforms to Foreign Investment Framework

By Editors | 03/08/2020

Foreign investors will face national security checks regardless of the value of their investments, subject to enhanced monitoring, investigative and enforcement powers of the Treasury.

Enforcement

ATO Commences Pilot Audit of Early Super Withdrawal Scheme

By Editors | 03/08/2020

The tax office is contacting Australians who withdrew their superannuation funds early to assess if the need was genuine, and whether they should be penalised.

NAB to Stop Dealing with Unlicensed Debt Management Companies

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 02/08/2020

NAB says it wants to ensure vulnerable customers are appropriately and professionally supported, either directly by the bank or an accredited representative of their choice.