Covered in this webinar: The significant reforms to Australia's merger control regime likely coming into effect from 1 January 2026. What will the new regime look like? Which types of deals are likely to be caught? What practical issues should be considered before the new regime comes into effect? APRA's increasing scrutiny of expenditure by superannuation trustees. What are APRA's areas of likely focus for surveillance and enforcement action? What are the expenditure requirements in the new SPS 515? What practical steps can trustees take to prepare? ...

In this Insight, we highlight what APRA plans to do over the coming 12 months through surveillance and enforcement action and areas of its likely focus, and then set out practical steps trustees can take now to prepare for increased scrutiny and possible enforcement action from APRA. ...

In this Insight, we spotlight emerging trends, reflect on potential implications for future ESG-related disputes and provide practical guidance on both managing stakeholder expectations and mitigating the risk of litigation. ...

Covered in this webinar: APRA enforcement update – In July 2024, APRA announced it had agreed to accept an enforceable undertaking from OnePath Custodians, and that OnePath had paid $10.7 million under infringement notices issued by APRA. This webinar takes a look at the case in detail, including some of the key takeaways for superannuation trustees and other APRA-regulated entities. DDO enforcement update – ASIC has successfully prosecuted the first two design and distribution obligations cases. This webinar takes a look at some key findings from those cases, including the court's view on what constitutes 'reasonable steps' for issuers and distributors of financial products and an issuer's obligation to monitor and review data. ...

ASIC has again extended transitional relief for foreign financial services providers (FFSPs) relying on existing relief when providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients. ...

Lenders need to respond effectively to hardship notices. ASIC reviewed ten large home loan lenders to understand how they are supporting customers experiencing financial hardship. ...

On 9 May 2024, ASIC released its report, REP 781 Review of superannuation trustee practices protecting members from harmful advice charges, outlining findings from its review of progress by superannuation trustees in addressing risks of member harm from poor financial advice and inappropriate advice ...

Covered in this webinar: CPS 230 implementation issues: many financial services organisations already have well-advanced projects addressing the new requirements, while others are starting work now. The webinar focuses on key implementation issues that entities need to consider as they work through the requirements and share key 'learnings' at this stage and best practice examples. Using AI in financial services: we have seen increasing interest from financial services providers in using AI to gain efficiencies as well as to deliver services to clients in new ways. The webinar looks at at use-cases for generative AI in financial services, and consider key issues from a governance, procurement, and regulatory perspective. ...

In its recent decision in Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Lanterne Fund Services Pty Limited [2024] FCA 353, the Federal Court highlighted the risk of breach of the general obligations of Australian financial services (AFS) licensees under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act) ...

In this Insight, we explain key elements of the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2024: Buy now, pay later (the Draft Bill) and canvass some of the issues that BNPL providers will need to consider. ...