Issues impacting businesses in Financial Services
Transparency and compliance high on the agenda
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has been rolling out significant and concurrent regulatory reform across the financial services sector. Regulated entities will need to continue navigating these reforms, including the implementation of the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR), the growing spectre of cyber risk and information security, and enhanced prudential requirements around operational resilience and risk management. FAR is expected to optimise risk management and governance across banking, insurance and superannuation. Alongside this, new enforceable requirements have been put in place by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) around financial reporting and transparency. Preparing early to ensure compliance is key to satisfying the changing regulatory requirements going forward.
Technology and innovation at your fingertips
Driven by regulatory changes, shifting consumer preferences and the fast pace of technology transformation, innovation is at the centre of financial services. This has allowed organisations to become more competitive, better manage their data and make more informed decisions. Ranging from artificial intelligence synthesising information to drive personalisation and streamline operations, to open banking, enabling financial institutions to better manage risk and create tailored products – there’s a raft of innovation at your fingertips.
However, recent data breaches bring into focus the importance of cyber security and operational resilience, as well as having a strong strategy in place to prevent, minimise and rectify impacts. You’ll need to stay on top of requirements including APRA’s Prudential Standards CPS 234: Information Security and Prudential Standard CPS 230: Operational Risk Management.
Fintech’s growth and market potential
Fintechs range from digital-only banks to any technology used to streamline, digitise or disrupt traditional financial services. As the fastest growing financial sector, fintechs are disruptors with huge market potential. They’ve been embraced by businesses and consumers alike, with increased demand for 24/7 access to finances. Fintechs now have the opportunity to drive change, expand into other industries – and sometimes even scale up and expand into new markets. Those that thrive will have robust growth plans and innovative strategies. They also need to stay on top of challenges such as attracting and retaining talent, accessing much-needed capital to support growth, and keeping up-to-date with regulatory change in an environment that is constantly changing.
Governance and regulatory reforms in the banking sector
Regulatory reform is the largest challenge for the banking sector. Despite revenue growth, domestic banks including credit unions and mutuals have to navigate challenges such as the slowing growth in capital expenditure by the private sector, multiple reforms and changes to the capital framework. One of the major regulatory changes off the back of the Royal Commission is the adoption of FAR to replace the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR). As this presents some changes to reporting, transitioning from BEAR to FAR will require significant planning, a strong understanding of new responsibilities and accountability obligations.
Significant reform to private health insurance
Private health insurance (PHI) has already faced multiple challenges with COVID-19 restricting growth, rising premiums and a perception of poor value limiting the expansion of health insurance funds, especially amongst younger people. In addition, the next few years are expected to bring significant reform to the wider health sector and will have major implications on PHI, requiring funds to be prudentially sound, with strong risk management practices at their core. To remain competitive, PHIs need to focus on optimising member experiences, leverage emerging technologies and provide flexible service offerings.
Transparency and performance are the keys for superannuation
The reform agenda, designed to improve transparency and performance and enhance accountability remains front of mind for superannuation funds, employers and members. Additionally, superfunds are adopting net zero commitments by 2050 as part of the rising ESG focus of superfunds and increasing ESG investment options.
Asset Management continues to be reshaped by reform and changing expectations
Increasing regulation, margin compression and investor demands for returns and transparency in a challenging global environment have brought new challenges to the asset management sector. Changes to superannuation in particular will flow downstream to asset managers as transparency and performance is tested on an annual basis. ESG integration has continued to evolve quickly in Australia as asset managers integrate ESG into their investment decision processes.
Australia’s shift to instant payments
Australia's transition to real-time, instant payments is reshaping the financial landscape by phasing out traditional methods like cheques and direct debits. Businesses must update their systems to support instant transfers using mobile numbers or emails, affecting operational efficiency, security, and compliance. Although implementing new payment infrastructure requires an initial investment, moving away from legacy systems will enhance cash flow, reduce operational costs, and help maintain a competitive edge.
