Australia

Australian Businesses Warn Against Hasty Bank Reforms

By Editors | 09/09/2014

Australia’s businesses have cautioned the financial system inquiry that forcing “too-big-to-fail” banks to hold more capital could drive up borrowing costs for ­business.

Australian Banks Seek Bail-Out Plan

By Editors | 01/09/2014

Imposing losses on bank creditors in a crisis could see the banking sector downgraded by ratings agencies, increase funding costs across the economy and potentially exacerbate a downturn, Australia’s largest banks have warned.

Australian Regulator Seeks More Power In Financial System

By Editors | 30/08/2014

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission is asking for the power to ban investment products and intervene more heavily in the market.

Australian Banks Reject Capital Holding Call

By Editors | 27/08/2014

Australian banks have rejected suggestions by Financial Services Inquiry chief David Murray that the industry needs to increase its holdings of capital.

Australian Banks Face Class Actions on Fees

By Editors | 18/08/2014

Australian banks are facing open class actions filed by legal firm Maurice Blackburn over late credit card fees worth hundreds of millions of dollars, in what could be one of the country’s biggest class suits ever.

Macquarie to Contact Thousands of Clients Over Poor Advice

By Editors | 15/08/2014

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has ordered Macquarie Group to contact 160,000 clients who may have lost money due to flawed financial advice.

New Zealand Regulator Relaxes Debt Capital Raising Norms

By Editors | 11/08/2014

Commerce Minister Craig Foss announced further steps to simplify and encourage participation in New Zealand’s capital markets, including easing compliance rules for debt issuers.

ASIC Imposes New Conditions for CBA Licensees

By Editors | 10/08/2014

The financial planning arms of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia will be subject to new financial services license conditions, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission said.

New Zealand Regulator Issues First Equity Crowd Funding Licences

By Editors | 06/08/2014

The Financial Markets Authority has issued its first equity crowd funding licences under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. PledgeMe and Snowball Effect are New Zealand’s first licensed providers of this new financial service.