Australia

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.

ASIC Tightens Timeframe for Complaints Handling in Financial Sector

By Editors | 30/07/2020

Superannuation trustees have 45 days to respond to a complaint, compared to 90 days previously. Other financial services and credit providers have 30 days.

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.