Are Aussie banks susceptible to fake news?

30 January 2018
| By Mike |
image
image
expand image

The reputational damage incurred by Australia’s major banks may be such that they will be more susceptible to the impacts of fake news, according to a new white paper released by the Actuaries Institute.

In a Dialogue Paper, Social Risks - for a financial services business, issued by the Actuaries Institute, author Ian Laughlin has pointed to risks being posed by swiftly changing social norms and the manner in which the banks may be particularly exposed.

He said fake news was a danger for Australian corporations, particularly banks, because consumers seemed to have little sympathy for banks and their boards and management.

“There is a risk that an accusation may be blown up whether it has merit or not,” Laughlin’s paper said.

He said a critical article about the banks might then be fuelled by trolling from readers and that “once trust is damaged, it is very difficult to recover”.

Lauchlin’s paper argues that what has changed is that the community has stepped up in two ways: society's expectations are rightfully much higher and tolerance for egregious practices is much lower than they once were.

“… Society's ability to see and to call out unacceptable practices and to highlight poor outcomes has become much more powerful via Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms,” he wrote.

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest news and developments in wealth management industry

MARKET INSIGHTS

GG

So shareholders lose a dividend plus have seen the erosion of value. Qantas decides to clawback remuneration from Alan ...

2 months 1 week ago
Denise Baker

This is why I left my last position. There was no interest in giving the client quality time, it was all about bumping ...

2 months 1 week ago
gonski

So the Hayne Royal Commission has left us with this. What a sad day for the financial planning industry. Clearly most ...

2 months 1 week ago

A Sydney-based financial adviser has been banned from providing financial services in the interest of consumer protection after failing to act on conduct concerns. ...

3 weeks 5 days ago

Insignia Financial has made four appointments, including three who have joined from TAL, to lead strategy and innovation in its retirement solutions for the MLC brand....

17 hours 51 minutes ago

ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of a $250 million Sydney fund manager, one of two AFSL cancellations announced by the corporate regulator....

3 weeks 3 days ago