Former AMP Financial Planning adviser banned



The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has banned a former AMP Financial Planning authorised representative from providing financial services for eight years for forgery and misleading conduct.
James Edward McCarthy from South Australia has been banned until 14 November, 2023 after ASIC found he had created and backdated statements of advice and authority to proceed documents and forged client signatures in order to comply with an internal AMP Financial Planning audit in March 2015.
ASIC said McCarthy did not provide any of the false documents to clients. McCarthy is the sole director of McCarthy Financial Solutions and was an authorised representative of AMP Financial Planning from 16 December, 2011 to 2 April, 2015.
ASIC launched the investigation into McCarthy after being notified by AMP Financial Planning.
ASIC deputy chair, Peter Kell, said: "ASIC is committed to raising standards of conduct and compliance in the wealth management industry and will act to remove advisers who engage in misleading conduct".
McCarthy has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of ASIC's decision.
Recommended for you
Adviser losses this week are quadruple the same period a year ago, with the industry falling into negative territory for the last 12 months.
Colonial First State has announced the latest manager to join its Edge managed accounts menu, focusing on providing investors with a strategic income.
Rising advice fees has prompted Radar Results to increase its price guide to a minimum of $3,000 per client to reflect the changing shape of the adviser landscape.
Investment consultancy Ascalon Capital has appointed a new partner, who joins from 20 years at Zenith Investment Partners, as well as a new chief executive amid a “bold new chapter” for the firm.