ASIC accepts EUs from former AMP representatives


The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has accepted an enforceable undertaking (EU) from a former ANZ-aligned and AMP Financial Planning representative, and a former AMP Representative after concerns over their compliance with financial services laws.
Reid Menkens was previously at Millennium3 Financial Services, while Leo Menkens was a former AMP representative. Both trade as Brisbane-based plannning firm, Menkens Financial Group, whose financial services licensees are Austplan Pty Ltd.
ASIC's review of client files found both the father and son had failed to show they had acted in the best interests of their clients, keep appropriate records, and deliver statements of advice on time.
ASIC deputy chairman, Peter Kell, said: "Financial advisers need to ensure their processes and documentation demonstrate that they have acted in the best interests of their clients."
Under the EU, the pair must assign an independent consultant to carry out a program of pre-vet and audit reviews to scrutinise whether their advice was compliant.
The consultant will report to ASIC and Austplan and the father and son will have to remedy any failings found in the review.
ASIC's findings are part of its Wealth Management Project, which started in October last year. It has banned five other advisers from the financial services industry.
Recommended for you
There is a gap in the market for Australian advisers to help individuals with succession planning as the country has been noted by Capital Group for being overly “hands off” around inheritances.
ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of an advice firm associated with Shield and First Guardian collapses, and permanently banned its responsible manager.
Having peaked at more than 40 per cent growth since the first M&A bid, Insignia Financial shares have returned to earth six months later as the company awaits a final decision from CC Capital.
Private market secondaries manager Coller Capital has unveiled a new education platform to improve advisers’ and investors’ understanding of secondaries.