New-look ASIC takes first steps
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) officially began operating under a new structure yesterday after a 12-month strategic review of its practices revealed the need for quicker reaction times and greater responsiveness.
As well as the managerial changes Money Management reported last week, ASIC has also committed additional resources to its surveillance operations and market research, while encouraging a better balance between national and regional initiatives.
In terms of its new structure, ASIC has replaced the four previous ‘silo’ directorates with 18 teams covering areas of the financial economy such as retail investors and consumers, investment managers, investment banks, superannuation funds and financial advisers.
Going forward, it plans to establish an external advisory panel, which will provide information and guidance on market developments and potential systemic issues.
Recommended for you
Digital advice tools are on the rise, but licensees will need to ensure they still meet adviser obligations or potentially risk a class action if clients lose money from a rogue algorithm.
Shaw and Partners has merged with Sydney wealth manager Kennedy Partners Wealth, while Ord Minnett has hired a private wealth adviser from Morgan Stanley.
Australian investors are more confident than their APAC peers in reaching their financial goals and are targeting annual gains of more than 10 per cent, according to Fidelity International.
Zenith Investment Partners has lost its head of portfolio solutions Steven Tang after 17 years with the firm, the latest in a series of senior exits from the research house.