Borrow
Corporate regulator continues crackdown on Australia’s biggest names
In the last year alone, ASIC has reported a more than 50 per cent increase in enforcement investigations related to some of Australia’s largest banks.

Corporate regulator continues crackdown on Australia’s biggest names
In the last year alone, ASIC has reported a more than 50 per cent increase in enforcement investigations related to some of Australia’s largest banks.

In an update for the period from September 2019 to February 2020, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission highlighted the 52 per cent increase in enforcement investigations involving CBA, NAB, Westpac, ANZ and AMP – or their officers or subsidiary companies.
There has also been a 10 per cent increase overall in the number of ASIC enforcement investigations.
This is on top of the 13 referrals made to the corporate regulator through the royal commission – two that are the subject of civil penalty litigation, while one is being considered by the Commonwealth director of public prosecutions for potential criminal action.
While three were concluded with no further action being taken, ASIC acknowledged that seven remain under investigation.
Reiterating its stance around the principle of “why not litigate?”, the update outlined that the commission “will continue to use the courts to clarify the law where there is uncertainty”.
Since ASIC created its Office of Enforcement in July 2019, ASIC noted the office “has continued to increase its capacity to investigate and take action in response to market, corporate and financial sector misconduct”.
As at 1 January 2020, ASIC has noted 316 investigations taking place, relating to matters including directors’ and officers’ breaches, insider trading and market manipulation, auditor and liquidator breaches, and breaches of licensing obligations.
ASIC also indicated it is currently prioritising misconduct related to superannuation and insurance, cases that engage ASIC’s new powers or provisions, illegal phoenix activity, auditor misconduct, as well as new or emerging types of misconduct online or using emerging technologies.
ASIC said it will “also always prioritise taking action on certain types of misconduct”.
It highlighted significant market misconduct, misconduct that is serious by its nature or extent of harm, misconduct carrying a high risk of significant consumer harm, and criminal conduct by individuals, or governance failures at a board or executive level.
The commission outlined that it remains focused “on enhanced supervision of the financial services sector to promote enduring cultural and behavioural change and fair outcomes for consumers”.
It also highlighted its response to “emerging issues as they arise – for example, in our coordinated response to the recent bushfire crisis”.
About the author

About the author


Banking
ANZ sued for allegedly misleading customers
The corporate regulator has commenced civil proceedings in Federal Court. ...Read more

Banking
Banks report $14.4bn profit amid pressure on net interest margins
Australia’s major banks have reported a significant boost to their bottom lines and returns in the first half of the 2022 financial year, signaling sector-wide resilience despite persistent pressure...Read more

Banking
Major banks report rising profits
NAB and ANZ announced their half-year results this week. ...Read more

Banking
Modernisation of direct debit system suffers setback
According to the Reserve Bank (RBA), several major banks will not be able to meet the current timeline for the launch of the PayTo service. ...Read more

Banking
Australians' trust in digital providers has decreased in last five years
Australians have little trust in organisations keeping their information secure, but the financial services industry still sits atop the list. ...Read more

Banking
Commonwealth Bank chairman to retire in August
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) board has announced a successor. ...Read more

Banking
Westpac responds to $113m penalty
The big four bank has responded to the penalty handed down last week. ...Read more

Banking
Westpac ordered to pay $113m for ‘widespread compliance failures’
Westpac has been ordered to pay penalties in the amount of $113 million for widespread compliance failures across multiple businesses, including Westpac’s banking, superannuation, wealth management ...Read more

Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now

What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now

Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now

Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now

Banking
ANZ sued for allegedly misleading customers
The corporate regulator has commenced civil proceedings in Federal Court. ...Read more

Banking
Banks report $14.4bn profit amid pressure on net interest margins
Australia’s major banks have reported a significant boost to their bottom lines and returns in the first half of the 2022 financial year, signaling sector-wide resilience despite persistent pressure...Read more

Banking
Major banks report rising profits
NAB and ANZ announced their half-year results this week. ...Read more

Banking
Modernisation of direct debit system suffers setback
According to the Reserve Bank (RBA), several major banks will not be able to meet the current timeline for the launch of the PayTo service. ...Read more

Banking
Australians' trust in digital providers has decreased in last five years
Australians have little trust in organisations keeping their information secure, but the financial services industry still sits atop the list. ...Read more

Banking
Commonwealth Bank chairman to retire in August
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) board has announced a successor. ...Read more

Banking
Westpac responds to $113m penalty
The big four bank has responded to the penalty handed down last week. ...Read more

Banking
Westpac ordered to pay $113m for ‘widespread compliance failures’
Westpac has been ordered to pay penalties in the amount of $113 million for widespread compliance failures across multiple businesses, including Westpac’s banking, superannuation, wealth management ...Read more