5 September 2022
These ABA Sanctions Guidelines are intended for Australian Banking Association (ABA) member banks. The guidelines are not legally binding. They aim to set out good industry practice for ABA members and their staff in relation to sanctions requirements. These Guidelines are limited to obligations applicable to Australian financial institutions under Australian sanctions laws administered by DFAT. They have nevertheless been developed with reference to the broader Australian legislative and regulatory framework, including but not limited to obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act) and Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing.
Examples of sanctions measures which may be relevant to the Australian banking industry include:
• Targeted financial sanctions (including asset freezes) on designated persons and entities
• Restrictions on trade in goods and services (including ‘arms or related materiel’), and or
• Restrictions on engaging in certain commercial activities.
These guidelines were updated December 2021.
Latest news
The Australian Banking Association welcomes the launch today of the Regulatory Initiatives Grid (RIG) pilot as an important step forward in improving transparency of the regulatory pipeline across key Government agencies and regulators. ABA CEO Anna Bligh said better coordination of regulation would provide additional certainty for Australian banks. “Banks recognise that effective regulation is… Read more »
New data released today from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), shows Australians continue to embrace the ease of mobile wallets when making payments. For the first time, the RBA’s latest monthly retail payments data includes a snapshot of newer payment technology, showing more than 500 million payments were made via mobile wallets in October,… Read more »
The Australian Banking Association acknowledges the release today of the inquiry report into the Financial Services Regulatory Framework in Relation to Financial Abuse. CEO Anna Bligh said the ABA and its member banks acknowledge the important work of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services to further shine a light on financial abuse…. Read more »