Macquarie Slapped with Record $5M Fine for Market Manipulation Oversight

8

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's Markets Disciplinary Panel (MDP) levied a nearly $5 million fine, the highest in the MDP's history, on Macquarie for enabling questionable orders in the electricity futures market during highly volatile periods in 2022.

According to the watchdog, from January to September 2022, Macquarie allowed three clients to place suspicious orders 50 different times. These actions took place in the final trading minutes of each day, benefiting the clients' positions by manipulating settlement prices.

The MDP contended that Macquarie lacked adequate internal controls and surveillance mechanisms to detect and prevent these orders from creating a misleading impression in the market, an issue exacerbated in a post-Ukraine invasion energy landscape.

Joe Longo, ASIC's chair, criticized Macquarie’s conduct, emphasizing how critical it is for key market players to maintain stringent oversight. "Given Macquarie's pivotal role in the energy derivatives market, it has a fundamental duty to prevent suspicious activities," Longo stated.

Despite multiple warnings and six direct communications from ASIC highlighting evident risks, Macquarie failed to act in a timely manner, thereby allowing continued suspicious activity. The violations are particularly concerning given the chaos in global energy markets following Russia’s 2022 aggression against Ukraine.

Reacting to the fine, Macquarie acknowledged its deficiencies. "This situation arose from electronic trades in the electricity futures market by three commercial clients," a spokesperson for the bank admitted. "As the largest facilitator in this space across Australia and New Zealand, we bear significant responsibility."

The bank also mentioned taking immediate remedial actions and is committed to further improvements to its surveillance and monitoring capabilities. "We've introduced measures to escalate and effectively manage suspicious orders going forward," the statement concluded.

This development highlights regulators' increased vigilance and higher expectations for market participants, especially in volatile times and sectors crucial to national interests like energy.

Notably, the original article that elaborated on these infractions appeared under Nathan Schmidt on September 25, 2024.

Published:Monday, 30th Sep 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

MONEYME's Strategic Move: $455 Million Boost for Autopay's Growth

25 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori

In a significant development within Australia's auto finance sector, non-bank lender MONEYME has successfully priced a $455.4 million asset-backed securitisation (ABS) for its secured car loan product, Autopay. This transaction marks the company's second major auto bond deal, following a $517.5 million transaction earlier in the financial year, underscoring MONEYME's rapid expansion and growing influence in the market. - read more

Anticipated Tightening of Car Loan Practices Following ASIC's Review

25 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently unveiled findings from its comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, highlighting concerning trends that are likely to prompt a tightening of lending practices across the industry. The review revealed that nearly half of all consumers who defaulted on their car finance repayments did so within the first six months of the loan term. - read more

ANZ Bank's $160 Million Fine Highlights Regulatory Compliance Failures

09 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori

In a landmark decision, ANZ Bank has agreed to pay a record-breaking A$240 million (approximately US$160 million) fine for a series of serious regulatory breaches. This penalty underscores the growing emphasis on compliance and accountability within Australia's financial sector. - read more

ASIC's Comprehensive Review of Australia's Motor Vehicle Finance Sector

01 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced a thorough review of the motor vehicle finance sector, focusing on strengthening consumer protections and ensuring industry compliance with responsible lending obligations. This initiative aims to address potential risks and improve the experiences of borrowers across Australia. - read more

Australian EOFY Car Deals Hit Record Highs in 2025

01 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori

The 2025 End of Financial Year (EOFY) period witnessed an unprecedented surge in car deals across Australia, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry. According to an analysis by TheBeep.com.au, the number of car deals in June 2025 reached 190, representing a 39% increase from the 137 deals recorded in 2024. This substantial growth underscores the intensified competition among automotive brands striving to clear stock before the June 30 deadline. - read more

EV and Hybrid Vehicle Financing in Australia Reaches $6.17 Billion in 2024

01 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian automotive finance sector has experienced a remarkable surge in support for electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles, with financing volumes escalating from $250 million in early 2023 to an impressive $6.17 billion by the end of 2024. This substantial growth underscores the pivotal role of financial institutions in facilitating the nation's transition to low-emission transportation. - read more

Affordable Electric Vehicles: New Low-Interest Loans for Eligible Australians

24 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian government has launched a new initiative to make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to a broader segment of the population. This program offers low-interest loans to individuals earning less than $100,000 annually, as well as essential workers, facilitating the purchase of new and used EVs priced up to $55,000. - read more

Click for more Finance News