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Banking royal commission: 'Commercial interests' trumped the interests of consumers, ANZ admits – live Banking royal commission: 'Commercial interests' trumped the interests of consumers, ANZ admits – live
(35 minutes later)
On a third meeting on 10 January 2017, McKenna told Henderson what she thought of his advice (for which she paid thousands) in no uncertain terms. McKenna described the meeting:
I said ‘if I had followed your advice, I would have lost a half million dollars in superannuation. You’re supposed to be the expert, I don’t profess to be an expert in superannuation or retirement planning, but even I can read members statements’ .
The advice was supposed to be a draft. But it had “sign here” stickers, and McKenna told Henderson the statement of advice was no draft.
I said ‘let me get this straight, the effect of your advice is that, one, I should set up a self-managed super fund and direct it to be run by Henderson Maxwell. I should sell my shares, or transfer them to you, and give any other cash that I have to Henderson Maxwell’.
He said ‘yes, once we get a better handle on the cash flow’.
I said ‘so you’re saying I should give all of my money to Henderson Maxwell’. It was so disarming, he said ‘yes’.
There was just this silence, I was gobsmacked. It was so disarming. He said ‘I’ve got another client, a single woman, a bit like you Donna. She’s got about $6m with us, and she’s very happy with how things are going’.
McKenna received a refund for the fees she paid for the advice. She later made a formal complaint to the Financial Planning Association. She has little idea what’s happened to her complaint.
She is asked why she has told the story to the royal commission:
I considered it was my public duty to provide assistance to the royal commission in relation to the particular circumstances that I have encountered in relation to the financial advice that I received.
If someone with my educational and occupational background hits a wall when you endeavour to engage proper disciplinary processes, what hope would someone who does not have the type of occupational background and skills, what hope are other people going to have?
Orr said she thought the advice from Henderson was “risible”.
In the first instance, when I had been given the statement of advice, I’d had a quick skim read of it when I went home. I can remember saying to my son words to the effect ‘I can’t believe this, I’ve been to see the financial planner of the year and this is what you get’.
She said she was being flogged Henderson Maxwell products, something she thought she would avoid by going to an independent firm.
She gave no instruction to Henderson to set up a self-managed super fund.
McKenna had her super in two public-sector funds. One had a deferred benefit worth $500,000, which she would receive, unless she left the scheme before the age of 58.
She was not yet 58 at the time she sought the advice from Henderson.
The advice was prepared and Henderson and McKenna met again in December 2016.
The principal recommendation was that she should establish a self-managed superannuation fund by rolling out one of her public-sector funds.
The recommendation would have caused her to lose the $500,000.
This is despite McKenna’s clear and repeated instructions that she wasn’t interested in a self-managed super fund, that it could leave her bankrupt and that bankruptcy would cost her her job.
We’re back on. Donna McKenna, a fair work commissioner, is giving evidence again about her dealings with Henderson Maxwell, a financial advisory firm. McKenna was seeking financial advice to assure the future of her children and allow her to comfortably retire.
The financial advisory firm was headed up by Sam Henderson, a celebrity adviser with a show on Sky’s business channel and regular columns in the Australian Financial Review.
Henderson, the inquiry heard, pressured McKenna over whether she wanted to set up a self-managed super fund.
McKenna was strongly opposed. Henderson continued to promote it, despite her opposition.
He said, ‘We’ll look after it for you’. I said, ‘I’m not interested’.
Henderson persisted. He told her it would give her “control” of her super, allow greater transparency and openness.
I said I still wasn’t interested. I said I had all of the openness and transparency that I wanted from my existing fees. As for other matters, I said I liked the high degree of prudential and governance arrangements that applied through my existing schemes. And that I regularly declined the offer of one-on-one meetings with my existing schemes because I’m quite content to leave those matters to large schemes, which I added had entire departments of people.
Henderson persisted. She almost laughed at him.
She told him that she’d probably go “bankrupt” and, if she did, she’d lose her job. Statutory office holders can be removed from office if they go bankrupt.
Still, he persisted:
The tone turned a bit at this point, you can buy property in a self-managed super fund but you can’t do that with your existing fund. I said, ‘I know that’.
Eventually, she told Henderson that he could include the option in his advice to her. That was the only instruction she gave.
Well, it’s been another ripping morning at the royal commission. We’ve heard more evidence of misconduct among financial advisors at NAB and ANZ.Well, it’s been another ripping morning at the royal commission. We’ve heard more evidence of misconduct among financial advisors at NAB and ANZ.
Let’s recap, while we wait for proceedings to resume.Let’s recap, while we wait for proceedings to resume.
ANZ’s head of wealth solutions and partnerships, Kieran Forde, had a rough day in the box. He was grilled over ANZ’s handling of “Mr A”, a financial adviser with Millennium3, a financial advisory firm owned by the bank.ANZ’s head of wealth solutions and partnerships, Kieran Forde, had a rough day in the box. He was grilled over ANZ’s handling of “Mr A”, a financial adviser with Millennium3, a financial advisory firm owned by the bank.
In a nutshell, Mr A wrongly used money from his clients’ self-managed super funds to invest in property, including a marina. He used their money to buy the property through a company of which he was a sole director. In a number of cases, he took their money without authorisation, and later said the property investments had gone belly-up. A referral has now been made to police for fraud.In a nutshell, Mr A wrongly used money from his clients’ self-managed super funds to invest in property, including a marina. He used their money to buy the property through a company of which he was a sole director. In a number of cases, he took their money without authorisation, and later said the property investments had gone belly-up. A referral has now been made to police for fraud.
ANZ failed to act on Mr A on multiple occasions. It received a number of audit reports raising concerns about his advice. It also received a formal complaint from Mr A’s clients in 2013. Still, it did nothing. Instead, it relied on Mr A’s other customers to come forward with complaints before investigating.ANZ failed to act on Mr A on multiple occasions. It received a number of audit reports raising concerns about his advice. It also received a formal complaint from Mr A’s clients in 2013. Still, it did nothing. Instead, it relied on Mr A’s other customers to come forward with complaints before investigating.
Forde gave the stunning evidence that no action was taken because it was against Millennium3’s “commercial interests”. He agreed the commercial interests had trumped the interests of Mr A’s clients.Forde gave the stunning evidence that no action was taken because it was against Millennium3’s “commercial interests”. He agreed the commercial interests had trumped the interests of Mr A’s clients.
NAB said it was “common practice” and a “social norm” for its employees to falsify documents. The documents in question were benefit nomination forms for superannuation, which people use to distribute their estate when they die. The falsification could render the legally-binding forms invalid.NAB said it was “common practice” and a “social norm” for its employees to falsify documents. The documents in question were benefit nomination forms for superannuation, which people use to distribute their estate when they die. The falsification could render the legally-binding forms invalid.
The falsification largely involved NAB employees wrongly signing forms as witnesses, despite not being present during client meetings. About 353 NAB employees were involved and 2,520 customers were affected.The falsification largely involved NAB employees wrongly signing forms as witnesses, despite not being present during client meetings. About 353 NAB employees were involved and 2,520 customers were affected.
Law firm Slater and Gordon says it is now partnering with global litigation funder Therium to investigate a major investor class action against AMP.Law firm Slater and Gordon says it is now partnering with global litigation funder Therium to investigate a major investor class action against AMP.
It follows shocking revelations from the banking royal commission from the past fortnight, where more than a billion dollars has been wiped from AMP’s market value since it admitted to lying to the regulator last week.It follows shocking revelations from the banking royal commission from the past fortnight, where more than a billion dollars has been wiped from AMP’s market value since it admitted to lying to the regulator last week.
Ben Hardwick, Slater and Gordon Head of Class Actions, says the claim could potentially be one of Australia’s biggest investor class actions, given the loss of value to shareholders.Ben Hardwick, Slater and Gordon Head of Class Actions, says the claim could potentially be one of Australia’s biggest investor class actions, given the loss of value to shareholders.
“Not only did senior executives admit AMP had been charging significant fees for financial advice services it did not provide, but they also admitted the bank tried to conceal these practices by repeatedly telling Asic they were the result of an administrative error,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.“Not only did senior executives admit AMP had been charging significant fees for financial advice services it did not provide, but they also admitted the bank tried to conceal these practices by repeatedly telling Asic they were the result of an administrative error,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We allege that this conduct was both unlawful and unethical and reflected serious compliance problems within AMP, and the market had a right to be informed about what they were buying into.”“We allege that this conduct was both unlawful and unethical and reflected serious compliance problems within AMP, and the market had a right to be informed about what they were buying into.”
Slater and Gordon’s allegations against AMP:Slater and Gordon’s allegations against AMP:
On 27 May 2015, AMP issued a breach report to Asic in relation to a regular practice of charging ongoing fees to customers in circumstances where they received no service.On 27 May 2015, AMP issued a breach report to Asic in relation to a regular practice of charging ongoing fees to customers in circumstances where they received no service.
Hardwick says the proposed claim against AMP will allege the company ought to have disclosed to the ASX from 27 May 2015, that:Hardwick says the proposed claim against AMP will allege the company ought to have disclosed to the ASX from 27 May 2015, that:
(1) For many years, it had regular business practices of charging financial advice customers ongoing service fees in circumstances where it knew it was not entitled to charge those fees because it was not providing any services to those customers;(1) For many years, it had regular business practices of charging financial advice customers ongoing service fees in circumstances where it knew it was not entitled to charge those fees because it was not providing any services to those customers;
(2) It made numerous false and misleading statements to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) designed to present the problem of charging ongoing services fees, where it was not providing any services, as being caused by administrative oversight or error rather than deliberate business practices; and(2) It made numerous false and misleading statements to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) designed to present the problem of charging ongoing services fees, where it was not providing any services, as being caused by administrative oversight or error rather than deliberate business practices; and
(3) The practice of deliberately charging customers in circumstances where AMP knew it was not entitled to do so, and the subsequent misleading of Asic, arose from inadequate monitoring, reporting and governance controls, and a lack of verification procedures and proper oversight of interactions with Asic.(3) The practice of deliberately charging customers in circumstances where AMP knew it was not entitled to do so, and the subsequent misleading of Asic, arose from inadequate monitoring, reporting and governance controls, and a lack of verification procedures and proper oversight of interactions with Asic.
Hardwick said: “We allege this conduct escalated and continued without being disclosed until it was ultimately revealed in the royal commission in the week commencing 16 April 2018.”Hardwick said: “We allege this conduct escalated and continued without being disclosed until it was ultimately revealed in the royal commission in the week commencing 16 April 2018.”
The royal commission has adjourned for lunch. We’re yet to hear more about McKenna and her dealings with celebrity financial adviser Sam Henderson.The royal commission has adjourned for lunch. We’re yet to hear more about McKenna and her dealings with celebrity financial adviser Sam Henderson.
We’ll bring that news to you once the royal commission returns about 2pm.We’ll bring that news to you once the royal commission returns about 2pm.
That concludes Forde’s evidence.That concludes Forde’s evidence.
We now hear from Donna McKenna. McKenna, a fair work commissioner, sought financial advice in late 2016, due to impending tax changes around superannuation funds.We now hear from Donna McKenna. McKenna, a fair work commissioner, sought financial advice in late 2016, due to impending tax changes around superannuation funds.
She sought advice from firm Henderson Maxwell, after seeing its chief executive, Sam Henderson, on television. Henderson had a show on Sky’s business channel and regularly wrote in the Australian Financial Review.She sought advice from firm Henderson Maxwell, after seeing its chief executive, Sam Henderson, on television. Henderson had a show on Sky’s business channel and regularly wrote in the Australian Financial Review.
Some fairly stunning evidence here. ANZ failed to conduct any detailed investigation of Mr A, despite receiving the formal complaint in 2013 and being in possession of two earlier audits that raised concerns about Mr A’s behaviour.Some fairly stunning evidence here. ANZ failed to conduct any detailed investigation of Mr A, despite receiving the formal complaint in 2013 and being in possession of two earlier audits that raised concerns about Mr A’s behaviour.
Why? Because it wasn’t in Millennium3’s “commercial interests”.Why? Because it wasn’t in Millennium3’s “commercial interests”.
When Forde is asked whether the misconduct should have been identified earlier, he says:When Forde is asked whether the misconduct should have been identified earlier, he says:
Yes, I accept that. I think there was enough information in the initial complaint in 2013 to warrant us, Millennium3, talking to those other customers at that timeYes, I accept that. I think there was enough information in the initial complaint in 2013 to warrant us, Millennium3, talking to those other customers at that time
Orr asks:Orr asks:
So ANZ elected not to take an investigation in 2013 or to contact any of the other customers who were in the same position as the customers who had made the complaint?So ANZ elected not to take an investigation in 2013 or to contact any of the other customers who were in the same position as the customers who had made the complaint?
Forde:Forde:
It appears so, yes.It appears so, yes.
Orr asks why. Forde responds:Orr asks why. Forde responds:
The only logical reason is that the commercial interests of Millennium3 took precedentThe only logical reason is that the commercial interests of Millennium3 took precedent
Orr:Orr:
Over the interests of the clients?Over the interests of the clients?
Forde:Forde:
Yeah, I think that’s fair.Yeah, I think that’s fair.
The inquiry heard ANZ is still trying to work out how many of Mr A’s clients were affected. There are at least eight. But ANZ’s advice review team is looking at 103 customers during Mr A’s time at Millennium3.The inquiry heard ANZ is still trying to work out how many of Mr A’s clients were affected. There are at least eight. But ANZ’s advice review team is looking at 103 customers during Mr A’s time at Millennium3.
It has made a referral to police over Mr A’s unauthorised withdrawal of about $224,000 from accounts between March 2011 and February 2012.It has made a referral to police over Mr A’s unauthorised withdrawal of about $224,000 from accounts between March 2011 and February 2012.
We’re getting to the crux of the Mr A story now.We’re getting to the crux of the Mr A story now.
ANZ, despite knowing for years that Mr A’s conduct was problematic, put the onus on his customers to come forward and complain about him.ANZ, despite knowing for years that Mr A’s conduct was problematic, put the onus on his customers to come forward and complain about him.
The royal commission hears more details of allegations against Mr A, this time involving four clients in September 2013. It’s a similar story. Mr A advises them to invest in an apartment. He again uses their money through his own company to purchase the apartment. Mr A later tells his clients that their money is gone. Why? Because, despite promising his clients a quick return, he said the apartment has sat unsold on the market for two years.The royal commission hears more details of allegations against Mr A, this time involving four clients in September 2013. It’s a similar story. Mr A advises them to invest in an apartment. He again uses their money through his own company to purchase the apartment. Mr A later tells his clients that their money is gone. Why? Because, despite promising his clients a quick return, he said the apartment has sat unsold on the market for two years.
The clients complained to Millennium3 and said they should be refunded the money. Millennium3’s response to the clients is ... interesting. The company tells Mr A’s clients:The clients complained to Millennium3 and said they should be refunded the money. Millennium3’s response to the clients is ... interesting. The company tells Mr A’s clients:
It is unclear to us whether a loss has been suffered to you at all in respect to Mr A’s conductIt is unclear to us whether a loss has been suffered to you at all in respect to Mr A’s conduct
Orr asks Forde why it was “unclear”. He says he doesn’t know.Orr asks Forde why it was “unclear”. He says he doesn’t know.
The answer irks Orr, who reminds Forde he has been put forward to answer questions about these events.The answer irks Orr, who reminds Forde he has been put forward to answer questions about these events.
After Millennium3 sent this letter, in December 2013 and January 2014, it identified four other self-managed super funds who were listed as being unit holders in the unit trust, and were also customers of Mr A.After Millennium3 sent this letter, in December 2013 and January 2014, it identified four other self-managed super funds who were listed as being unit holders in the unit trust, and were also customers of Mr A.
The evidence before ANZ, at this stage, is piling up.The evidence before ANZ, at this stage, is piling up.
That prompts this extraordinary exchange. Orr asks:That prompts this extraordinary exchange. Orr asks:
Did Millennium3 and ANZ attempt to contact those customers?Did Millennium3 and ANZ attempt to contact those customers?
Forde:Forde:
Not to my knowledge.Not to my knowledge.
Orr:Orr:
Did it investigate whether any of those clients had suffered any loss?Did it investigate whether any of those clients had suffered any loss?
Forde:Forde:
Not to my knowledge.Not to my knowledge.
Orr:Orr:
Why not, Mr Forde?Why not, Mr Forde?
Forde:Forde:
I don’t know.I don’t know.
We learn that Mr A had told his clients he put their money in a unit trust, which would be used to purchase the property.We learn that Mr A had told his clients he put their money in a unit trust, which would be used to purchase the property.
That was a lie. Mr A instead put the money into a company, of which he was the sole director.That was a lie. Mr A instead put the money into a company, of which he was the sole director.
Now, onto Kieran Forde, from ANZ. He is being asked about five financial advisers, accused of forging customers signatures, misappropriating customer funds and misleading or deceiving customers.Now, onto Kieran Forde, from ANZ. He is being asked about five financial advisers, accused of forging customers signatures, misappropriating customer funds and misleading or deceiving customers.
The first financial adviser is known only as “Mr A”, who was with Millennium3, a financial services arm of ANZ. Mr A was the subject of a number of negative audits, the first in February 2011.The first financial adviser is known only as “Mr A”, who was with Millennium3, a financial services arm of ANZ. Mr A was the subject of a number of negative audits, the first in February 2011.
Mr A gave advice to his clients that they should invest in a property in 2011. The property was a marina for sale. Mr A knew those involved in the sale of the property.Mr A gave advice to his clients that they should invest in a property in 2011. The property was a marina for sale. Mr A knew those involved in the sale of the property.
This is a significant breach for Mr A. Forde says he should not have been advising his clients to invest in property.This is a significant breach for Mr A. Forde says he should not have been advising his clients to invest in property.
But Mr A managed to convince five of his clients to invest in the property through their self-managed super funds.But Mr A managed to convince five of his clients to invest in the property through their self-managed super funds.
Mr A said they would buy it for $1.6m, using a $600,000 investment, and put it on the market for between $2.05m and $2.09m.Mr A said they would buy it for $1.6m, using a $600,000 investment, and put it on the market for between $2.05m and $2.09m.
Mr A got four of his clients to invest $100,000 each from their super funds. The fifth invested $200,000.Mr A got four of his clients to invest $100,000 each from their super funds. The fifth invested $200,000.
They then heard “very little” from Mr A about the property.They then heard “very little” from Mr A about the property.
Another audit occurred in November 2011, which also made worrying findings about his advice.Another audit occurred in November 2011, which also made worrying findings about his advice.
Rowena Orr, the senior counsel assisting, asks Forde whether Mr A was disciplined. Forde responds:Rowena Orr, the senior counsel assisting, asks Forde whether Mr A was disciplined. Forde responds:
Not that I’m aware ofNot that I’m aware of
Orr says:Orr says:
Why not?Why not?
Forde:Forde:
I don’t know.I don’t know.
We’re now hearing from Kieran Forde, head of wealth solutions and partnerships at ANZ.We’re now hearing from Kieran Forde, head of wealth solutions and partnerships at ANZ.
Before we get stuck into his evidence, let’s just quickly re-cap what we learned from NAB’s chief customer officer, Andrew Hagger, this morning.Before we get stuck into his evidence, let’s just quickly re-cap what we learned from NAB’s chief customer officer, Andrew Hagger, this morning.
Hagger was quizzed about the falsification of benefit nomination forms for superannuation. The forms set out NAB customers’ wishes on how their superannuation benefits should be distributed when they die.Hagger was quizzed about the falsification of benefit nomination forms for superannuation. The forms set out NAB customers’ wishes on how their superannuation benefits should be distributed when they die.
The royal commission heard it was “common practice” for NAB employees to falsely sign the forms as witnesses, despite not being present during client meetings. About 353 NAB employees were involved and 2,520 customers were affected.The royal commission heard it was “common practice” for NAB employees to falsely sign the forms as witnesses, despite not being present during client meetings. About 353 NAB employees were involved and 2,520 customers were affected.
The falsification potentially rendered the forms invalid, potentially derailing customers’ wishes for their estates.The falsification potentially rendered the forms invalid, potentially derailing customers’ wishes for their estates.
Bradley Meyn, a financial advisor, was the focus of the inquiry. The inquiry heard NAB took six months after firing Meyn to notify the corporate regulator of the breach. Hagger admitted it should have happened months earlier.Bradley Meyn, a financial advisor, was the focus of the inquiry. The inquiry heard NAB took six months after firing Meyn to notify the corporate regulator of the breach. Hagger admitted it should have happened months earlier.
The inquiry also heard NAB leaders resisted having their bonuses cut, saying it would drive some executives out of the bank and discourage future whistleblowers.The inquiry also heard NAB leaders resisted having their bonuses cut, saying it would drive some executives out of the bank and discourage future whistleblowers.
That concludes Hagger’s evidence. Orr is done with her examination and NAB’s lawyers have no questions for him.That concludes Hagger’s evidence. Orr is done with her examination and NAB’s lawyers have no questions for him.
ANZ will be up next. We’re having a short adjournment to get things in order at the bar table.ANZ will be up next. We’re having a short adjournment to get things in order at the bar table.
Hagger is talking about NAB’s customer response initiative, which is designed to proactively find areas where NAB has given inappropriate advice to customers. The bank has spent $50m on the customer response initiative.Hagger is talking about NAB’s customer response initiative, which is designed to proactively find areas where NAB has given inappropriate advice to customers. The bank has spent $50m on the customer response initiative.
We have found $19m worth of compensation that we have offered to clients, so we will continue with that processWe have found $19m worth of compensation that we have offered to clients, so we will continue with that process
He’s disputing a question from Orr implying that NAB had a culture of assuming nothing was wrong until a customer complained.He’s disputing a question from Orr implying that NAB had a culture of assuming nothing was wrong until a customer complained.
Hagger, the NAB chief customer officer, had a little difficulty calculating how much of his enormous bonus was cut over the falsification issue.Hagger, the NAB chief customer officer, had a little difficulty calculating how much of his enormous bonus was cut over the falsification issue.
If it were not for these events I would have received a higher incentive. And the way to calculate that would be 0.05 times $1.2m, so I think that might be $60,000.If it were not for these events I would have received a higher incentive. And the way to calculate that would be 0.05 times $1.2m, so I think that might be $60,000.
That left him with a measly $960,000 bonus, he said.That left him with a measly $960,000 bonus, he said.
Leaders within NAB voiced strong opposition to having their bonuses shaved over the falsification scandal. Tim Steele, the general manager of NAB financial planning, expressed concern about imposing consequences for leadership, in the form of shaving his bonus. Steele lost about 10% of his bonus because of the falsification of documents. He thought the reduction would be much higher when he opposed the punishment.Leaders within NAB voiced strong opposition to having their bonuses shaved over the falsification scandal. Tim Steele, the general manager of NAB financial planning, expressed concern about imposing consequences for leadership, in the form of shaving his bonus. Steele lost about 10% of his bonus because of the falsification of documents. He thought the reduction would be much higher when he opposed the punishment.
Greg Miller, the head of wealth advice at NAB, argued punishing leaders may discourage whistleblowers from coming forward. Miller met with Hagger about the issue. A file note of the meeting, written by Hagger, records the following:Greg Miller, the head of wealth advice at NAB, argued punishing leaders may discourage whistleblowers from coming forward. Miller met with Hagger about the issue. A file note of the meeting, written by Hagger, records the following:
Mr Miller was very much opposed to any implications for the wealth advice leadership team members and their direct reports. He said this was an important cultural symbol, and that what the organisation was really encouraging then, was for [beneficiary nominations]-style issues to be swept under the carpet in future. He said we risked key departures and all at a time when we would look to sell the advisory business, or parts of it, in the coming year.Mr Miller was very much opposed to any implications for the wealth advice leadership team members and their direct reports. He said this was an important cultural symbol, and that what the organisation was really encouraging then, was for [beneficiary nominations]-style issues to be swept under the carpet in future. He said we risked key departures and all at a time when we would look to sell the advisory business, or parts of it, in the coming year.
Hagger is asked what his response to the views was. He said:Hagger is asked what his response to the views was. He said:
My response to those views is that there’s an expression ‘everything is leadership’s fault’. It’s for leaders to set the tone. What we’ve done here is followed all the way through from Mr Meyn’s situation to finding a more entrenched practice that had occurred within the division.My response to those views is that there’s an expression ‘everything is leadership’s fault’. It’s for leaders to set the tone. What we’ve done here is followed all the way through from Mr Meyn’s situation to finding a more entrenched practice that had occurred within the division.
We are actually delighted with Tim Steele’s leadership through this process, because he didn’t waver going through the customer remediation, in going through the impacts and consequences for those individuals who had been involved in the practice, and in striking a proportionate response to this situation and making clear to the employees that this was wrong behaviour and here’s how it needs to be done.We are actually delighted with Tim Steele’s leadership through this process, because he didn’t waver going through the customer remediation, in going through the impacts and consequences for those individuals who had been involved in the practice, and in striking a proportionate response to this situation and making clear to the employees that this was wrong behaviour and here’s how it needs to be done.
ICYMI: 100s of NAB employees falsely witnessed more than 2500signatures, threatening customer’s estates… and executives who lost bonusesabout it complained directly to the C.E.O. #bankingRC pic.twitter.com/Gj5cjhOyPxICYMI: 100s of NAB employees falsely witnessed more than 2500signatures, threatening customer’s estates… and executives who lost bonusesabout it complained directly to the C.E.O. #bankingRC pic.twitter.com/Gj5cjhOyPx
Hagger is detailing the steps NAB took to give customers “peace of mind”. Just a quick reminder: the falsification of the forms potentially rendered customers’ estate planning – their wishes for what should happen with their superannuation when they die – invalid.Hagger is detailing the steps NAB took to give customers “peace of mind”. Just a quick reminder: the falsification of the forms potentially rendered customers’ estate planning – their wishes for what should happen with their superannuation when they die – invalid.
Hagger says NAB wrote to all 2,520 customers. The bank has had difficulty reaching about 30 people.Hagger says NAB wrote to all 2,520 customers. The bank has had difficulty reaching about 30 people.
He said in the vast majority of cases, customers simply re-signed the forms with valid witnesses.He said in the vast majority of cases, customers simply re-signed the forms with valid witnesses.
As things stand today, there are about 250 customers who have not yet returned those forms. Over time, we think that will whittle down to a much smaller number again ... That was our prime concern, that through our own sloppiness we had created this situation, which could affect the peace of mind of 2,520 customers.As things stand today, there are about 250 customers who have not yet returned those forms. Over time, we think that will whittle down to a much smaller number again ... That was our prime concern, that through our own sloppiness we had created this situation, which could affect the peace of mind of 2,520 customers.