Australia

Market Infrastructure

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill Introduced in Parliament

By Editors | 30/07/2020

The Bill focuses on reforming RBNZ’s overall institutional, governance, accountability, and funding arrangements, effectively updating 30-year-old legislation.

Capital / Liquidity

APRA Moderates Approach to Bank Dividends in New Guidance

By Editors | 29/07/2020

Banks should retain at least half of their earnings when making capital distribution decisions, which should be informed by regular stress testing to demonstrate ongoing lending capacity.

Securities / Derivatives

New Zealand FMA Warns Derivatives Issuers to Ensure Compliance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/07/2020

Self-assessments by derivatives issuers have identified risks stemming from the way they handle client money, provide advice to retail clients, and handle vulnerable customers.

AML / KYC

Westpac Issues Update on Threshold Transaction Reporting Issues

By Editors | 28/07/2020

Westpac says it failed to report about 175,000 transactions to AUSTRAC as required, and may have filed 365,000 TTRs incorrectly.

Market Infrastructure

ASX Benchmarks Proposes Enhancements to BBSW Methodology

By Editors | 27/07/2020

Enhancements to the transaction layer of the BBSW calculation waterfall will increase the frequency with which BBSW rates are calculated using transaction data.

Capital / Liquidity

APRA Allows Banks to Defer Property Collateral Revaluations

By Editors | 26/07/2020

APRA points to physical access barriers and a high degree of uncertainty that create challenges for banks in updating commercial property valuations.

AML / KYC

Australian Police Bust Tax Fraud Syndicate in ‘Coordinated Strike’

By Editors | 24/07/2020

The syndicate’s ringleader is alleged to have enlisted financial industry experts and former bankers to operate and facilitate the A$17mn tax fraud.

Australia Extends Early Super Access Deadline to Year-end

By Editors | 24/07/2020

As of 19 July, superannuation funds had paid out A$28bn to their members under the early release scheme.

APRA Urges Super Licencees to Simplify, Consolidate Products

By Editors | 23/07/2020

This level of choice in the super industry may work against competition, overwhelming members with the more than 40,000 available options, says APRA’s Helen Rowell.