Newspaper icon
The latest issue of Financial Standard now available as an e-newspaper
READ NOW

Regulatory

ASIC bans 14th adviser from MWL

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 19 OCT 2026
ASIC has banned yet another former financial adviser from MWL Financial Services, bringing its total adviser bans - according to public records - to 14.

ASIC consults on new digital asset laws

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 15 OCT 2026
ASIC is seeking industry feedback on its draft guidance for the upcoming laws around digital assets and operators in the broader digital economy.

FEATURE | Governance | Stumping up

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 OCT 2026
In closing the gaps exposed by the collapse of Shield and First Guardian, the government is putting trustees first in the firing line, requiring them to compensate members when due diligence failures put retirement savings at risk.

'Flawed' CSLR model needs to be redesigned: SMC

MATTHEW WAI  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 OCT 2026
The latest proposal from the government to see super funds contribute to the CSLR would force everyday Australians to fund failures which arose in unrelated high-risk financial services, the Super Members Council warned in a submission to the consultation.

ASIC flags gaps in super fund valuations

VINNY VUCAGO  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 OCT 2026
ASIC has called for stronger scrutiny of unlisted investments after finding persistent weakness in how some superannuation funds and auditors assess asset valuations, raising concerns about the accuracy of members' retirement balances.

ASIC hits Fidante private credit fund with interim stop order

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 13 OCT 2026
The $800 million Ares Global Credit Income Fund, which is issued by Fidante Partners, has been hit with an interim stop order from the corporate regulator for target market determination (TMD) deficiencies.

Fortnum pays $1.35m to settle ASIC lawsuit

MATTHEW WAI  |  TUESDAY, 13 OCT 2026
Fortnum Private Wealth will pay a penalty of $1.35 million and ASIC's costs to resolve legal proceedings against the firm over a cyber governance matter which occurred between April 2021 and May 2023.

ASIC seeks 10-year extension of CFD protections

VINNY VUCAGO  |  MONDAY, 12 OCT 2026
ASIC is proposing to extend its product intervention order governing contracts for difference (CFDs) until 2037, while tightening protections to address risks posed by increasingly varied ways of settling the complex, leveraged products.

Former Western AM investment chief to receive final judgement

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 12 OCT 2026
The Securities and Exchange Commission has moved for a final judgement against the former co-chief investment officer of Western Asset Management, which could result in $147 million (US$103m) returned to harmed investors.

ASX to defend legal action brought by shareholder

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 12 OCT 2026
The Australian Securities Exchange said it plans to defend the claims submitted by one of its shareholders on ASX's behalf, stating the applications filed are "not in the best interests of the company."