We did not speak up to put things right


The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry has heard that senior Commonwealth Bank executive, Marianne Perkovic regretted that she had seen behaviours within the organisation which she knew were not right and had not been positioned to fix them.
Perkovic is currently the executive general manager of Commonwealth Private but was previously a senior executive within the bank’s planning businesses. She is a former senior executive within Count Financial.
The Commonwealth Bank chief executive, Matt Comyn acknowledged having received a letter from Perkovic stating her concerns and acknowledged the view of Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission, Rowena Orr QC, that it was troubling Perkovic “felt that she could not speak up loud enough to make things happen”.
The Royal Commission also heard it was Perkovic’s view that the bank had relied too much on the views of legal advisers and consultants rather than doing what staff knew was right in terms of acting in the best interests of clients.
The Royal Commission was told that Perkovic’s letter had expressed her personal disappointment that she felt she had let people down by not standing up to behaviours that she knew were not right.
Recommended for you
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.
As advisers risk losing two-thirds of FUA during the $3.5 trillion wealth transfer, two co-founders underscore why fostering trust with the next generation is vital to retaining intergenerational wealth.
As advisers seek greater insights into FSCP determinations, what are the various options considered by the panel and can a decision be appealed?