AUSTRALIA

Enforcement

ASIC Sues Home Loan Manager Resimac Over Hardship Failures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 22/05/2025

ASIC alleges the home loan manager breached the law by not properly assessing or supporting borrowers struggling with repayments.

Capital / Liquidity

New Zealand: Consumer Lending Law Reform Passes First Reading

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 21/05/2025

The government is seeking to simplify affordability assessments while keeping consumer safeguards in place.

AML / KYC

AUSTRAC Seeks Further Input on AML/CTF Rule Overhaul

By Manesh Samtani | 20/05/2025

AUSTRAC seeks further industry input on AML/CTF rule amendments before it finalises the changes in August 2025.

AML / KYC

New Zealand Regulators Update AML/CFT Audit Guidance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/05/2025

The updated guidance provides further clarity on what is considered “independent” and “appropriately qualified” when selecting an auditor.

AML / KYC

New Zealand Issues AML/CFT Guidance for Stored Value Instruments

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/05/2025

The guidance summarises the regulations applicable to SVIs and explains the conditions they must meet to be exempt from the provisions of the AML/CFT Act.

AML / KYC

AFCA Proposes Rule Changes to Improve Handling of Scam Complaints

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/05/2025

The rule changes will enable AFCA to investigate scams involving mule accounts and the actions of receiving banks in scam complaints.

Enforcement

AUSTRAC Fines Cointree for Late Suspicious Transaction Reports

By Mark Johnston | 18/05/2025

Crypto exchange penalised for failing to submit SMRs on time on four occasions. AUSTRAC CEO said timely reporting is critical.

AML / KYC

Australian Data Breaches Hit Record High in 2024

By Thisanka Siripala | 16/05/2025

There were 1,113 data breach notifications in 2024, a 25 percent increase from the incidents reported in 2023.

AML / KYC

AUSTRAC Orders AML/CTF Audit of Mercedes Benz Financial Services

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/05/2025

Almost 90 percent of non-bank lenders and financiers did not report a single suspicious matter to AUSTRAC in 2024.