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Regulatory

AFCA reveals outcome of final lead decision

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 2 MAR 2026
AFCA has issued the lead decision against both United Global Capital and Next Generation Advice, finding faults by both financial firms.

UK influencers fined over promotion of unauthorised forex scheme

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  FRIDAY, 27 FEB 2026
A raft of former reality television stars turned influencers have been fined in the UK for spruiking an unauthorised forex trading scheme.

AFCA receives record complaints in 2025

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 26 FEB 2026
AFCA received a record number of complaints in 2025, with 111,373 complaints filed in the 12 months to December 31 - up 14% from 2024.

Governance issues on the rise: ASIC

ELIZA BAVIN  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 FEB 2026
ASIC said the number of complaints surrounding governance issues has risen, with financial services companies making up a large proportion.

ASIC fines Fundhost for misleading fund performance

ELIZA BAVIN  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 FEB 2026
Fundhost has paid a $19,800 fine for making false or misleading representations about the performance of the Polen Capital Global Growth Fund.

ASIC reviews lead generators again, names advisers using them

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 FEB 2026
Two years on from a review into cold calling and lead generators, ASIC is launching another into the advice licensees that use them.

ASIC cancels AFSL of Qld securities dealer

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 16 FEB 2026
ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of Pulse Markets, a wholly owned subsidiary of BIR Financial, for providing incompetent financial services, including inadequate supervision of its corporate authorised representatives.

Senate questions APRA's role in Shield, First Guardian disaster

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 13 FEB 2026
APRA's role as prudential regulator in the wake of the First Guardian Master Fund and Shield Master Fund collapses came under the spotlight at a recent parliamentary hearing.

Division 296 bill tabled, suggested reforms fall on 'deaf ears'

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 12 FEB 2026
Although the tabling of the super tax bill was largely supported by the industry, the SMSF Association remains concerned about the likelihood of "unintended" consequences.

ASIC imposes licence conditions on Cambridge Mercantile

ANGELIQUE MINAS  |  THURSDAY, 12 FEB 2026
ASIC has imposed conditions on the licence of Cambridge Mercantile's local branch, following ongoing compliance failures.