Australia

Data Privacy

ACCC, OAIC Outline Enforcement Approach to Data Rights Breaches

By Editors | 11/05/2020

A ‘strategic risk-based approach’ to compliance and enforcement has been adopted, focusing on building consumer confidence in the security and integrity of the Consumer Data Right system.

Structural Regulation

Australia Defers All Royal Commission Commitments by Six Months

By Editors | 09/05/2020

In line with the Treasury’s announcement, ASIC has deferred mortgage broker reforms and the introduction of product design and distribution obligations.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Australian Police Launch Probe into Super Fund Early Release Fraud

By Editors | 07/05/2020

Five search warrants have so far been executed in relation to the fraud, and bank accounts containing AUD 120,000 in stolen super money have so far been frozen.

Credit Risk

APRA: Banks May Amend Loan Terms Without Full Serviceability Test

By Editors | 07/05/2020

APRA says banks may allow borrowers to change their loan conditions without conducting a normal serviceability assessment, but that such an arrangement should not exceed 12 months.

Supervision & Enforcement

Australia: Pershing Pleads Guilty to Breaching Client Money Rules

By Editors | 07/05/2020

Pershing Securities Australia, a BNY Mellon subsidiary, is the first company in Australia to face criminal prosecution for breaching client money provisions.

Anti-Money Laundering

Westpac Internal Probes Identify More AML Breaches

By Editors | 04/05/2020

Westpac has identified an estimated 60,000 to 90,000 threshold transaction reports that were not reported to AUSTRAC, and potential problems with its FATCA and CRS compliance.

Liquidity Risk

Super Funds Pay Out A$1.3b in First Week of Early Release Scheme

By Editors | 04/05/2020

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia estimates that super funds may have paid out A$7.1bn in total, including the second week of the initiative.

Structural Regulation

Australia, NZ, China, Japan Get Low Grades on Fund Regulation, Tax

By Editors | 01/05/2020

Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan are among the nations that have received the lowest scores on tax settings and regulatory regimes for the managed funds industry, according to a new Morningstar study.

Credit Risk

RBNZ Removes LVR Restrictions on Mortgage Lending

By Editors | 30/04/2020

All locally incorporated banks who responded to the one-week consultation were in favour of removing LVR restrictions, saying it would allow them to better support their customers.