Medcraft warns of collusion probes

Original article by Leo Shanahan
The Australian – Page: 23 : 27-Nov-14

Civil as well as criminal charges are possible against ANZ Bank, over its role in alleged attempts by major banks to fix the bank bill swap rate. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is investigating, and ANZ has suspended seven traders on full pay pending the outcome. ASIC chair Greg Medcraft argues that the problem is a global one and indicative of an ingrained culture across the banking sector. A probe into the claims of collusion has also been launched by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, BLOOMBERG LP

Traders benched in rates fix probe

Original article by Richard Gluyas
The Australian – Page: 1 : 20-Nov-14

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is continuing its investigation of banks and investment banks that allegedly colluded to manipulate the bank bill swap rate via the Australian Financial Markets Association. BNP Paribas, UBS and Royal Bank of Scotland have already incurred penalties, and ANZ Banking has now stood aside seven market trading staff on full pay due to the ASIC inquiry. ANZ chief risk officer Nigel Williams says the bank is co-operating fully with the watchdog

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION, UBS AG, ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PLC, BNP PARIBAS SA

Coles was ‘entitled’ to payments

Original article by Eli Greenblat
The Australian – Page: 17 : 20-Oct-14

Ian McLeod, CEO of the Coles retailing arm of Wesfarmers for six years until mid-2014, has rejected allegations by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). The watchdog claims that the supermarkets chain in 2010 acted unconscionably, when it demanded suppliers bear the cost of wastage as well as make payments so that Coles could reach its profit goals. McLeod says no unethical practices were engaged in during the group’s relationships with grocery companies. The ACCC court action names five suppliers as having been affected

CORPORATES
WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, COLES GROUP LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, DEUTSCHE BANK AG