Australia

Liquidity Risk

RBA Speeds Up Timeline for Higher HQLA Holdings by Banks

By Editors | 25/11/2020

Initially planned to be achieved through a gradual increase until 2024, the RBA said banks can increase their holdings of HQLA to 30 percent by end-2021.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC Reports on Fintel Alliance Efforts to Combat Criminal Threats

By Manesh Samtani | 25/11/2020

AUSTRAC has developed an algorithm that enables Fintel Alliance to detect suspicious financial patterns while protecting the privacy of underlying reporting entities and personal data.

Anti-Money Laundering

NSW Police, AUSTRAC Disrupt Money Laundering Operation

By Editors | 25/11/2020

Two men have been arrested and charged over illegal transfers of currency into offshore accounts as part of an investigation that began in June.

Operational Risk

APRA Finalises Revisions to EFS Reporting Standards

By Editors | 24/11/2020

Based on market feedback, the implementation date of the changes for most of the standards has been moved forward three months to the reporting period ending 30 September 2021.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Australian Court Fines Responsible Entity Over Product Disclosures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/11/2020

Theta Asset Management and its ex-managing director were fined a combined A$2.1mn for authorising the issue of five defective product disclosure statements.

Payments & Settlements

Australian Treasury Seeks Feedback on Payments System Regulation

By Manesh Samtani | 23/11/2020

The paper seeks views on the adequacy of the current regulatory architecture for developments such as stablecoins, cryptocurrency, digital wallets, stored value facilities and open banking.

Trading & Investment

ASIC Launches Probe into ASX Over Equity Market Outage

By Manesh Samtani | 23/11/2020

ASIC had earlier said it would determine whether ASX followed the relevant regulatory requirements and met its licence obligations.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Industry Body Urges ASIC to Reconsider Reference Checking Model

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/11/2020

The Stockbrokers and Financial Advisers Association urges ASIC to look at the central register model used in the US, which treats advisers more fairly.

KYC & CDD

South Pacific Nations Complete First Phase of KYC Facility Project

By Editors | 22/11/2020

The KYC facility will improve CDD processes and AML/CFT compliance, and support the provision of correspondent banking services to Pacific Island nations.