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Regulatory

ASIC moves to strengthen defences against financial scams

VINNY VUCAGO  |  WEDNESDAY, 17 JUN 2026
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has launched a new initiative aimed at helping consumers identify legitimate financial services websites and reducing the growing threat of imposter scams across the sector.

ASIC secures record $300m penalty over 'egregious' CFD misconduct

VINNY VUCAGO  |  MONDAY, 15 JUN 2026
The Federal Court has imposed record penalties totalling more than $300 million against collapsed contracts for difference (CFD) issuer Union Standard International Group and two of its former authorised representatives.

Imprisoned fraudster's wife banned by ASIC

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 15 JUN 2026
ASIC has disqualified Shashikumari Agrawal (Mrs Agrawal), the wife of the imprisoned director Krishnakumar Agrawal (Mr Agrawal), from managing corporations for five years due to her role in the collapsed Mansa Group.

ASX to pay $23m, admits misrepresentation over CHESS replacement

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 15 JUN 2026
ASX has admitted that it misled and exposed market participants to financial risk in an announcement related to the delivery of the CHESS replacement project in early 2022, despite realising the delay would occur as early as 21 December 2021.

FCA pursues Neil Woodford again

KARREN VERGARA  |  THURSDAY, 11 JUN 2026
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is going after failed fund manager Neil Woodford again, this time for allegedly providing unauthorised investment advice via W4.0, his Dubai-based investment platform.

Former Brite Advisors responsible manager banned

VINNY VUCAGO  |  WEDNESDAY, 10 JUN 2026
ASIC has permanently banned former Brite Advisors responsible manager Gerard Duffy from providing financial services after determining it had reason to believe he was not a fit and proper person.

CALI seeks life insurers exemption from lead generation ban

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  TUESDAY, 9 JUN 2026
The Council of Australian Life Insurers said it will argue a strong case for exemption for life insurance lead generation to not be swept up into a blanket ban designed to address misconduct in other parts of the financial system.

More aggressive than ever: ASIC defends First Guardian investigation

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  FRIDAY, 5 JUN 2026
ASIC was pulled up by the Senate Economics Committee over the time it has taken to act against Falcon Capital, the responsible entity for the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund.

Treasury considers reward system for whistleblowers

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 JUN 2026
The government has opened consultation on a review of corporate whistleblowing laws in Australia to ensure they are working to effectively protect whistleblowers.

Big Un finance chief's insider trading charges dropped

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 2 JUN 2026
Big Un's former chief financial officer has been freed of insider trading charges following a hung jury and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) concluding it will discontinue further action.