Grant Chapman
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has told a Parliamentary Committee that it has been liaising with its sister regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), on questions relating to Members Equity Bank.
Answering questions put to it by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, ASIC made clear that whether Members Equity Bank had adequate funding was an issue that fell under the jurisdiction of APRA.
Responding to a question on notice put by committee member and Liberal Senator Grant Chapman, ASIC said that the provision of further funding to Members Equity Bank by its superannuation fund shareholders was also a matter for APRA and the funds themselves.
“There may also be an issue about whether the superannuation fund trustees have complied with their duties to avoid conflicts of interest because the funds have invested in, and also own shares in, Members Equity Bank,” the ASIC response said.
“Again, this issue comes under APRA’s jurisdiction,” it said.
However, ASIC’s written response added: “Trustees that are financial services licensees are also regulated by ASIC under the Corporations Act 2001, which imposes the obligation to have adequate arrangements in place to manage conflicts of interest.”
AMP’s chief economist has unveiled a wish list for the Australian government’s Economic Reform Roundtable.
Australian retirees could increase their projected annual incomes between 3 and 51 per cent by incorporating personal and household data into their retirement income strategies, according to new research.
The best interests duty and new class of adviser didn't make the cut for the pre-election DBFO draft bill; however, ASFA has used its submission to outline what it wants to see from the final package.
The peak body stressed that the proposed financial advice reforms should “pass as soon as possible” and has thrown its weight behind super funds providing a greater level of advice.