Australia

    AML / KYC

    Foreign Tax Status Disclosures Required by New Zealand Banks

    By Manesh Samtani | 07/06/2018

    Banks required to report customers’ foreign tax status by 30 June; customers that do not respond may have their accounts frozen or closed.

    Enforcement

    Gaming the System is Part of Being a Great Banker

    By Peter Guy | 07/06/2018

    Criminal charges brought by Australian regulators against bankers in the ANZ cartel case represent a challenge against practices traditionally considered the norm in global underwriting syndicate culture.

    Market Infrastructure

    ASIC Consults on ‘Foreign’ AFS Licence Proposal

    By Manesh Samtani | 05/06/2018

    New approach would replace current mechanism of granting relief to foreign financial service providers from AFS licensing, and provide ASIC with broader range of tools to regulate the activities of foreign providers.

    AML / KYC

    Commonwealth Bank Agrees to A$700m Penalty for AML Breaches

    By Manesh Samtani | 04/06/2018

    AUSTRAC investigations revealed inadequate AML/CTF risk assessment and controls, leading to failures in monitoring transactions, submitting transaction reports, detecting money laundering.

    Enforcement

    Citi, Deutsche, ANZ Face Criminal Cartel Charges in Australia

    By Garima Chitkara | 04/06/2018

    Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and ANZ are facing criminal charges in Australia after an investigation revealed cartel behaviour in the trading of ANZ stock.

    Market Infrastructure

    New Zealand Publishes Revised Code of Banking Practice

    By JP Reimann | 04/06/2018

    New code promises fair treatment, clear communication, customer privacy, responsible lending, effective complaints handling.

    Enforcement

    Systemic Enquiry into Financial System Not Required – New Zealand Regulators

    By Garima Chitkara | 31/05/2018

    RBNZ, FMA say so far no reason to conduct systemic investigation of financial industry’s conduct and culture; banks’ efforts at improving institutional conduct and culture will continue to be monitored.

    AML / KYC

    Australia Consults on Cash Payment Limits

    By Garima Chitkara | 28/05/2018

    Government proposes limit of A$10,000 for cash payments to stamp out illegal payments and black economy; transactions exceeding limit must use electronic payments systems or cheques.

    Enforcement

    Australia Introduces Final Phase of ASIC Industry Funding Legislation

    By Manesh Samtani | 28/05/2018

    Final phase involves fees ASIC charges for specific activities such as licence or registration applications; industry funding model to commence 1 July 2018.

    Capital / Liquidity

    BNZ Restates Capital Adequacy Ratios Due to Data Errors

    By Garima Chitkara | 28/05/2018

    BNZ reported a 34 basis point overstatement of its capital adequacy ratio in its most recent quarterly earnings due to data collection error, marginal overstatement of capital adequacy due to mistakes in collateral value calculation.

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