Insurance PDS Obligations – ticking the box and thinking outside it

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Product Disclosure Statements (PDSs) are subject to a range of regulatory obligations but they can also support commercial objectives (for example, a business that prides itself on speaking in plain... Read more continue reading

Aberdeen Standard Investments comments on Retirement Income Review

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Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Managing Director Brett Jollie welcomed the Retirement Income Review findings and its acknowledgement that insufficient attention had been given to retirement income. “As Aberdeen Standard Investments... Read more continue reading

ASIC consults on promoting access to affordable advice for consumers

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ASIC has issued Consultation Paper 332 Promoting access to affordable advice for consumers (CP 332). CP 332 seeks input from industry participants and relevant stakeholders to help ASIC understand: the issues and... Read more continue reading

Changes to Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedures – what it means for you

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New Internal Dispute Resolution requirements (RG 271) – what are the key take outs and considerations for insurers? ASIC released its new Regulatory Guide (RG 271) on complaints handling and... Read more continue reading

Issuing MCI securities – Practical learnings 12 months on

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Last year innovative and landmark reforms were introduced that gave companies limited by guarantee the ability to raise capital by issuing mutual capital instruments ( MCIs) without risking their status as... Read more continue reading

ASIC grants industry-wide relief to help members of frozen funds make hardship withdrawals

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ASIC have announced new relief measures for operators of managed funds to facilitate withdrawals by members facing financial hardship (hardship relief) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conditional relief is available... Read more continue reading

ASIC’s responsible lending appeal dismissed by the Full Federal Court

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On 10 September 2019, ASIC filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Australia against the decision of the Honourable Justice Perram regarding ASIC’s allegations against Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac)... Read more continue reading

ASIC approves temporary COVID-19 changes to the Banking Code

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ASIC has approved a variation of the Banking Code of Practice (Code). The variation, as proposed by the Australian Banking Association (ABA), involves the insertion of a ‘Special Note’ into... Read more continue reading

ASIC publishes new regulatory guidance for mortgage brokers

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ASIC has published regulatory guidance to assist in the application of the new best interests duty for mortgage brokers, which comes into effect in 2021. The new obligations were legislated... Read more continue reading

Investment funds told to correct advertising and disclosure

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ASIC has put responsible entities (REs) of all managed investment schemes (MISs) ‘on notice’ that they must ensure their investment fund advertising provides clear, balanced and accurate information. This follows... Read more continue reading