ASIC enforcement data reveals focus on banks
The Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Macquarie Bank have emerged as the institutions to have attracted most attention from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as part of its so-called Wealth Management Project.
The regulator has published data revealing the results it has achieved via its Wealth Management Project, with the NAB and Commonwealth Bank each being listed as having been the subject of six issues dealt with by ASIC, followed by Macquarie Bank with five.
The ASIC enforcement report then goes to on to list AMP with three issues, and two each for ANZ and Westpac.
The attention by ASIC then resulted in 14 bannings for a specified period, three permanent bannings, two enforceable undertakings, the imposition of four conditions or fines and one person being charged as part of criminal proceedings.
The ASIC enforcement report said that the regulator had focused on the implementation of the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) changes and, in particular, client best interests with the regulator making clear that its work within the Wealth Management Project is ongoing.
Commenting on the enforcement report outcome, ASIC Commissioner, Cathie Armour, said the result had served to highlight "ASIC's unwavering commitment to ensuring Australia's markets remain a level playing field for all investors".
She said further areas of focus for ASIC included but were not limited to:
- Ensuring that gatekeepers adhere to the high standards required by law and taking action against those that fail to meet those standards;
- Ensuring that financial advice firms and their advisers comply with the FOFA reforms; and
- ASIC's Wealth Management Project, which aims to improve the quality of financial advice provided to consumers.
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