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

Australian Used Car Market Ends 2025 on a Softer Note

05 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), in collaboration with AutoGrab, has released the December 2025 Automotive Insights Report (AIR), revealing a significant downturn in the used car market as the year concluded. - read more

Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles Gain Momentum as Petrol Car Sales Decline in Australia

05 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian automotive market is witnessing a significant shift in consumer preferences, with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) experiencing a remarkable surge in sales, while traditional petrol vehicle sales continue to decline. - read more

Macquarie Bank Transfers $1.5 Billion Car Loan Portfolio to Allied Credit

28 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant move within the Australian financial sector, Macquarie Bank has agreed to sell a $1.5 billion portfolio of car loans to Allied Credit, a leading independent financier in Australia. This portfolio encompasses over 50,000 car loans and is slated for transfer by the fourth quarter of 2025. - read more

ASIC's Findings Highlight Urgent Need for Reform in Car Finance Lending Practices

20 Jan 2026: 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. - read more

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

20 Jan 2026: 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

Surge in Car Loan Delinquencies Sparks Financial Sector Worries

20 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia is witnessing a notable increase in car loan delinquencies, raising alarms about the potential ripple effects on the broader financial sector. This trend reflects the financial strain many Australians are experiencing amid economic challenges. - read more

ASIC's Findings Highlight Urgent Need for Reform in Car Finance Lending Practices

04 Jan 2026: 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. - read more

Click for more Finance News