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☆ Australia regulator targets 'carbon neutral' claims in greenwashing crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Office buildings are seen amidst the easing of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in the Central Business District of Sydney, Australia, June 3, 2020. ASIC has filed three lawsuits alleging unfounded environmental claims by two pension funds and a personal finance platform, and named so-called greenwashing as one of its priority enforcement areas for 2024. she added.,The regulator would hold investment distribution platforms accountable for the products they sell. So far, the regulator had issued interim orders to stop the distribution of some 80 investment products which it considered inappropriate. "For a number of those stop orders, the issuers of the products did step back, they've corrected ... and they've reissued it," she said.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Sarah Court, they've, Byron Kaye, Ayushman, Subhranshu Sahu, Miral Organizations: Central Business District of, REUTERS, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Thomson Locations: Central Business District of Sydney, Australia, Melbourne, Sydney

☆ Australia fines lender ANZ $9.6 mln for misleading customers over funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO: A pedestrian is reflected in the window of a branch of ANZ in central Sydney, Australia, October 25, 2017. The Australian lender falsely indicated to customers that they could avail cash advance from funds stated to be their 'Available Funds' without incurring fees and interest, according to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). The error resulted in customers being charged with thousands of dollars in fees while the average remediation paid was around $45 per affected account. "Many ANZ customers relied on the account information displayed by the bank and were charged fees that were inconsistent with that information," said ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court. "ANZ accepts responsibility for what has occurred and apologises to its customers, and has addressed the issues that gave rise to the contraventions," the lender said.

Persons: Steven Saphore, Sarah, Himanshi Akhand, Aishwarya Nair, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: ANZ, REUTERS, ANZ Group Holdings, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, National Consumer Credit, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Australia fines lender NAB $1.4 mln for wrongfully charging fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies National Australia Bank Ltd FollowSept 22 (Reuters) - The Australian Federal Court has fined the country's second-biggest lender National Australia Bank (NAB) <NAB.AX> a penalty of A$2.1 million ($1.4 million) for wrongfully charging customers periodic payment fees, the securities regulator said on Friday. Between January 2017 and July 2018, National Australia Bank continued to charge its customers periodic payment fees for transferring money despite knowing it had no contractual entitlement to do so, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) said. The bank wrongfully charged 2,888 personal banking customers and 513 business clients payment fees totalling A$139,845 on 74,593 occasions, the regulator added. Shares of NAB were trading 0.7% lower as of 0221 GMT after declining as much as 1.3% earlier in the day.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Sarah Court, Sameer Manekar, Ayushman, Janane Venkatraman, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: National, REUTERS, National Australia Bank, Australian Federal Court, Australia Bank, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, NAB, Reuters, Royal Commission, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Australia fines lender NAB $1.4 million for wrongfully charging fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies National Australia Bank Ltd FollowSept 22 (Reuters) - The Australian Federal Court has fined the country's second-biggest lender National Australia Bank (NAB) <NAB.AX> a penalty of A$2.1 million ($1.4 million) for wrongfully charging customers periodic payment fees, the securities regulator said on Friday. Between January 2017 and July 2018, National Australia Bank continued to charge its customers periodic payment fees for transferring money despite knowing it had no contractual entitlement to do so, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) said. The bank wrongfully charged 2,888 personal banking customers and 513 business clients payment fees totalling A$139,845 on 74,593 occasions, the regulator added. NAB in an email to Reuters acknowledged "some customers were incorrectly charged for periodical payment fees several years ago," adding that it had completed a remediation program and repaid more than A$8.3 million to affected customers.

☆ Australian regulator sues crypto exchange for design, distribution failures
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 21 (Reuters) - Australia's corporate regulator said on Thursday it had initiated civil proceedings against Bit Trade Pty Ltd, provider of the Kraken crypto exchange to Australian customers, for failing to comply with design and distribution obligations for its margin trading product. The design and distribution obligations (DDO) require firms to design financial products that meet the needs of consumers and distribute them in a targeted manner. Bit Trade's margin trading product is a credit facility as it provides customers credit to buy and sell certain crypto assets on the Kraken exchange, ASIC said. It said at least 1,160 customers had used the margin trading product, incurring a total loss of about A$12.95 million ($8.35 million) since DDO began in October 2021. ($1 = 1.5516 Australian dollars)Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja DesaiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: DDO, Sarah Court, Himanshi, Pooja Desai Organizations: Bit Trade, Ltd, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Regulator sues AustralianSuper over multiple pension accounts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Roushni Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 8 (Reuters) - The Australian securities regulator said on Friday it initiated a lawsuit against the trustee of AustralianSuper, citing the country's largest superannuation fund failed to have adequate policies to identify members who held multiple accounts. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) started civil penalty proceedings alleging that AustralianSuper did not have substantial procedures for almost 10 years to help merge multiple accounts of a single member. AustralianSuper has more than 2.87 million members and A$258 billion ($164.48 billion) in member assets, as of June 30, 2022, according to the ASIC. "AustralianSuper regrets that its processes to identify and combine multiple accounts did not cover all instances of multiple member accounts. As of June 2022, three million people had multiple superannuation accounts in Australia, ASIC stated, adding that a significant proportion of these multiple accounts were held within the same fund.

Persons: Loren Elliott, AustralianSuper, Sarah Court, Hebe Chen, unreservedly, Roushni Nair, Devika Syamnath, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: REUTERS, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, IG Markets, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Australian, Bengaluru

☆ Australian regulator sues PayPal unit over unfair term in small business contracts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The PayPal logo is seen at an office building in Berlin, Germany, March 5, 2019. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said it has started proceedings against PayPal Australia Pty Ltd in a case that highlights a contract term that gives PayPal business account holders 60 days to notify discrepancies in fees charged. The regulator views the term as unfair as it authorises PayPal to retain fees it has inaccurately charged. "We allege this term is unfair because it allows PayPal to escape the consequences of its own errors in overcharging small businesses, and places additional burdens on small businesses to detect and correct charging errors," ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said. As at June 30, there were about 608,275 business account contracts between PayPal and active users in the country.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Sarah Court, Roushni Nair, Poonam Behura, Shailesh Organizations: PayPal, REUTERS, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, PayPal Australia, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Bengaluru

☆ Aussie corporate regulator alleges IAG units misled home insurance customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Small toy figures are seen in front of displayed IAG (Insurance Australia Group) logo in this illustration taken, November 8, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies IMA and IAL misled customers about loyalty discountsIAG says units intend to defend the proceedingsRegulator is seeking declarations of contravention, pecuniary penalties and adverse publicity ordersAug 25 (Reuters) - Australia's corporate regulator said on Friday it filed a lawsuit against two units of Insurance Australia Group (IAG) (IAG.AX), alleging they misled customers about loyalty discounts available for certain types of home insurance policies. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced civil proceedings against Insurance Australia Ltd (IAL) and Insurance Manufacturers of Australia (IMA) in the Federal Court, alleging loyal customers may have had their premiums increased before the promised discounts were applied. "IMA and IAL do not agree that they have misled customers and intend to defend the proceedings further," IAG said in a separate release. The regulator is seeking declarations of contravention, pecuniary penalties and adverse publicity orders against IAL and IMA from the court.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, IAG, Sarah Court, IAL, Nausheen, Krishna Chandra Eluri Organizations: Insurance, REUTERS, Insurance Australia Group, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, Insurance Australia Ltd, Insurance Manufacturers of Australia, Federal, IMA, IAL, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Ex-Tesla director who pleaded guilty to insider trading will be released on the condition of 'good behavior'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kurt Schlosser pleaded guilty to profiting over $28,883 off knowledge of Tesla's deal with a mining company. He'll be released on the condition of "good behavior," but can't manage a company for five years. Spokespeople for Tesla and Piedmont Lithium did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication. Tesla first announced a five-year agreement with Piedmont Lithium in 2020 on the heels of the electric-car maker's "Battery Day." At the time of the announcement, shares of the mining company surged as much as 83% to their highest level since 2007.

☆ Australian regulator sues comparison site over crypto product
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Australia's corporate regulator sued the country's biggest comparison website on Thursday in relation to a cryptocurrency product, accusing it of conducting unlicensed financial services and breaching consumer protection laws. ASIC Chairman Joe Longo said in parliament this month that the regulator wants to test in court whether crypto assets count as financial products under the law. As of September, Finder Wallet owed A$20.8 million ($14.2 million) to consumers in the absence of legal protections, the cour filing added. A Finder.com spokesperson told Reuters the company did "not share ASIC's view that Finder Earn can be regarded as a debenture" and said all customer money was returned when the product was closed in November. ($1 = 1.4646 Australian dollars)Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Australia sues AmEx on alleged breach of credit card distribution laws
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 6 (Reuters) - The Australian securities regulator on Tuesday took the local unit of American Express Co (AmEx) (AXP.N) to court alleging two of its credit cards co-branded with retailer David Jones were issued and distributed without ensuring customers understood them. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission(ASIC) alleged in a lawsuit that AmEx knew some customers would be confused whether they had applied for a loyalty card or a credit card, and that it failed to limit distribution to customers looking for a card that earns points and other benefits. The card payment service provider was aware of the high cancellation rates among customers who apply for credit cards at David Jones outlets, compared with their online counterparts, ASIC said in a statement. AmEx and South Africa's Woolworths Holdings (WHLJ.J), which owns the department store chain, did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Reporting by Sameer Manekar and Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta, Uttaresh.V and Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Australian regulator sues AmEx for alleged breaches of distribution obligations
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Australian corporate regulator on Tuesday filed a civil lawsuit against American Express Co's (AmEx) (AXP.N) Australian arm, seeking declarations and pecuniary penalties for alleged breaches of design and distribution obligations. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) said the lawsuit was related to two co-branded credit cards issued by AmEx to retail consumers in David Jones stores, owned by South Africa's Woolworths Holdings Ltd (WHLJ.J). ASIC added that AmEx continued to issue the cards despite being aware of the deficiencies in TMD, risking customers with a financial product that was not in line with their needs. AmEx and Woolworths Holdings did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Uttaresh.VOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Australia court dismisses customer fees lawsuit against CBA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 29 (Reuters) - The Australian Federal Court has dismissed proceedings initiated by the country's securities regulator against top lender Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX) over alleged incorrect charging of monthly fees to customers, the regulator said on Tuesday. The court, however, found that the bank had not breached its general obligation to ensure that financial services were provided efficiently. CBA in a statement acknowledged the court order as well as "errors" in charging monthly account fees to some customers. "We confirm that CBA has completed the customer remediation program in relation to the issues in the proceedings," the bank said. In September, another ASIC proceeding against CBA over allegations of improperly collecting commissions was dismissed by the federal court, dealing a blow to consumer advocates seeking tougher regulations.

☆ Australian regulator appeals dismissal of petition against CBA, unit by court
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australia's corporate regulator said it had appealed the Federal Court's decision to dismiss its petition against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX) and its pension unit on allegations of improperly collecting commissions. Last month, the Australian Federal Court dismissed a petition by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) that accused the country's top lender and Colonial First State of a scheme, where the bank took commission to sell products for its unit from 2013 to 2019, a banned practice known as conflicted remuneration. read more"We have appealed this decision because we are concerned that it will limit the operation of conflicted remuneration laws introduced in 2012," ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said in a statement on Wednesday. Reporting by Tejaswi Marthi in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ ANZ assessed $16 mln fine for withholding account benefits
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) was fined A$25 million ($16 million) for failing to provide agreed benefits to certain customers with offset transaction accounts, Australia's market regulator and the lender said on Wednesday. The accounts, offered under ANZ's "Breakfree" package introduced in 2003, provided fee waivers, interest rate discounts on home loans, credit cards and transaction accounts, and other benefits in exchange for an annual fee. ANZ's offset transaction customers were entitled to interest rate reductions on eligible home and commercial loans, which were not always passed on, the ASIC said. "ANZ ... for many years failed to prioritise and deploy the systems and processes necessary to fulfil its obligations." "ANZ accepts that its conduct fell short of expectations and apologises to its customers who have been impacted," the lender said.

☆ ANZ faces $16 mln fine for withholding account benefits for 20 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) was fined A$25 million ($16 million) for failing to provide agreed benefits to customers with offset transaction accounts under its 'Breakfree' package, Australia's market regulator said on Wednesday. The Breakfree package, introduced in 2003, offered fee waivers, interest rate discounts on home loans, credit cards and transaction accounts and other benefits in exchange for paying an annual fee. ANZ's offset transaction customers were entitled to interest rate reductions on eligible home and commercial loans, which were not always passed on, the ASIC said. "ANZ ... for many years failed to prioritise and deploy the systems and processes necessary to fulfil its obligations." ($1 = 1.5657 Australian dollars)Reporting by Shashwat Awasthi, additional reporting by Harshita Swaminathan; Editing by Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ AMP handed $9.7 mln penalty for charging pensioners 'fees for no service'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe logo of AMP Ltd, Australia's biggest retail wealth manager, adorns their head office located in central Sydney, Australia, May 5, 2017. Picture taken May 5, 2017.REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoSept 20 (Reuters) - Wealth manager AMP Ltd (AMP.AX) was handed a penalty of A$14.5 million ($9.74 million) on Tuesday by Australia's Federal court for charging customers with 'fees for no service' on their corporate pension accounts. Between July 2015 and September 2018, AMP entities deducted A$356,188 in fees even though they were aware that the members had ceased their employment and could no longer receive advice services, the court found. The penalty received on Tuesday has already been provisioned in the 2022 half-yearly financial statement, AMP said. ($1 = 1.4890 Australian dollars)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Harish Sridharan in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Subhranshu SahuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ AMP handed $9.7 million penalty for charging pensioners 'fees for no service'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe logo of AMP Ltd, Australia's biggest retail wealth manager, adorns their head office located in central Sydney, Australia, May 5, 2017. Picture taken May 5, 2017.REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoSept 20 (Reuters) - Wealth manager AMP Ltd (AMP.AX) was handed a penalty of A$14.5 million ($9.74 million) on Tuesday by Australia's Federal court for charging customers with 'fees for no service' on their corporate pension accounts. Between July 2015 and September 2018, AMP entities deducted A$356,188 in fees even though they were aware that the members had ceased their employment and could no longer receive advice services, the court found. "Although AMP has remediated A$691,032 to affected customers, the court found AMP failed to investigate whether or not there was a systemic issue, despite many complaints over a lengthy period of time," ASIC said. The penalty received on Tuesday has already been provisioned in the 2022 half-yearly financial statement, AMP said.

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