Briefs: NZ Government reviews financial advice laws, ING Direct introduces 'one swipe' banking, ANZ

Banking Day staff
  • New Zealand Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith released a consultation paper reviewing financial advice legislation that came into force four years ago. The laws, which had to be reviewed within five years, were enacted in response to the collapse of finance companies and regulated financial advisers for the first time. The collapse and the new laws saw many savers turn to banks and most registered financial advisers now work for banks. Consultation ends on July 22.
  • ING Direct has introduced a "one swipe" mobile banking feature that allows customers using Apple devices to check savings, transaction and superannuation account balances without having to unlock their mobile or even open their ING Direct app. Apple's iOS8 Notification Centre allows users to swipe their home screen to get a balance. The bank said customers put ease and simplicity as top priorities for their digital banking experience. The bank has also launched an app for the Apple Watch.
  • ANZ has entered the exchange traded funds market, launching six ETFs covering local and overseas equities, gold, the US dollar and the renminbi. ANZ's entry into the growing managed investments segment is by way of a joint venture with London-based ETF Securities. ANZ, which claims to be the first major Australian financial institution to get into the market, said it had more products on the drawing board.
  • A former credit representative of Aussie Home Loans has pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Shiv Prakash Sahay was charged with making and using false documents. These documents were submitted to Bankwest and Suncorp as part of 17 client loan applications. The loans being applied for were worth a total of A$7 million and Sahay's commissions were worth $5500.