Australia

Australia’s AMP Bank Halts New Loans for Property Investors

By Editors | 03/08/2015

New applications halted with immediate effect, following a regulatory push to slow down such lending.

Changes to Securitisation Structures May Hit Smaller Aussie Lenders Harder

By Editors | 01/08/2015

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority may end up shutting smaller lenders out of their main funding source with its toughened stance on securitised loans.

Australian Government to Audit ASIC

By Editors | 27/07/2015

Australia’s government will conduct the first full-scale audit of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in 17 years, laying the groundwork for a major overhaul in how the corporate watchdog is funded and operated.

New Zealand Central Bank Consults on Efficiency of Regulatory Regime

By Editors | 24/07/2015

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is proposing changes to its regulatory requirements in a bid to improve the efficiency of bank supervision and reduce banks’ costs.

Aussie Banks Required to Hold More Capital against Mortgages

By Editors | 21/07/2015

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has increased the average risk weights for Australian residential mortgage exposures from 16 percent to 25 percent.

Australian Banks Make Progress on Capital-Raising

By Editors | 18/07/2015

Major Australian banks have been preparing for higher capital requirements, with National Australia Bank (NAB) now possessing the sector’s highest capital ratio.

Australia and Bangladesh Sign Information Exchange Deal

By Editors | 17/07/2015

Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh establishing a framework for the exchange of financial intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing and other serious offences.

High Capital Requirements May Not Affect Regional Aussie Banks

By Editors | 17/07/2015

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is focusing on the major banks in its response to the Murray inquiry’s call for ‘unquestionably strong’ capital, appearing to let regional banks off the hook.

ASIC Releases Evidence Metrics for Self-Assessment of Regulator Performance

By Editors | 15/07/2015

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has released the evidence metrics it will use to report against the Federal Government’s Regulator Performance Framework, which aims to reduce the regulatory burden while achieving the same regulatory outcomes.