Macquarie Bank has seen its liquidity and operational risk capital requirements increased by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) after failing to meet requirements.
The enforcement action related to the incorrect treatment of a specific intra-group funding arrangement for the purpose of calculating capital as well as breaches of reporting standards on liquidity between 2018-2020.
APRA said that, while the breaches were historical, they raised “serious questions” about the bank’s practices. It said it “cannot rule out” further action in the future if more information came to light.
As a consequence of the breaches, APRA required:
APRA deputy chair, John Lonsdale, said: “APRA’s legally-binding prudential and reporting standards play an essential role in enabling APRA to adequately monitor risks to financial safety and stability. For one of the country’s largest financial institutions to have committed breaches of this nature is disappointing and unacceptable.
“Alongside the enforcement actions, APRA will subject Macquarie Bank to intensified supervision to address the bank’s persistent difficulties in complying with its prudential obligations. We cannot rule out further action as more information comes to light about the root causes of these breaches.”
The increases would take effect today.
The future of superannuation policy remains uncertain, with further reforms potentially on the horizon as the Albanese government seeks to curb the use of superannuation as a bequest vehicle.
Superannuation funds will have two options for charging fees for the advice provided by the new class of adviser.
The proposed reforms have been described as a key step towards delivering better products and retirement experiences for members, with many noting financial advice remains the “urgent missing piece” of the puzzle.
APRA’s latest data has revealed that superannuation funds spent $1.3 billion on advice fees, with the vast majority sent to external financial advisers.