Major banks pay back customers $215.9m


AMP, ANZ, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), National Australia Bank (NAB) and Westpac Corporation have now paid or offered customers $215.9 million of an estimated $219.5 million in refunds and interest for failing to provide general or personal advice to customers while charging them ongoing advice fees.
According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) update on financial advice institutions fees-for-no-service refund programs, there was an additional $155 million in payments and offers since the ASIC’s latest public update which provided compensation figures as at 21 April.
Also, the institutions’ total estimates changed over the past six months as they had investigated the compensation required and in some cases had identified new failures.
ASIC said it would continue to monitor the institutions’ compensation programs and supervise the institutions’ further reviews to determine whether any additional instances of fees had been charged without advice being provided.
The next public update would be provided in mid-2018.
Recommended for you
ASIC has permanently banned a former Perth adviser after he made “materially misleading” statements to induce investors.
The Financial Services and Credit Panel has made a written order to a relevant provider after it gave advice regarding non-concessional contributions.
With wealth management M&A appetite only growing stronger, Business Health has outlined the major considerations for buyers and sellers to prevent unintended misalignment between the parties.
Industry body SIAA has said the falling number of financial advisers in Australia is a key issue impacting the attractiveness and investor participation of both public and private markets.