A $47 million settlement in a class action against ANZ — one of three settlements in a series of class actions against the big banks over ‘junk’ consumer credit insurance — was fair and reasonable, a judge has said.
ANZ has rubbished arguments from a competitor and the ACCC that its merger with Suncorp’s banking arm will reduce competition and hurt consumers, saying the watchdog had been asked to believe a “distorted and selective view” of the proposal.
Westpac, Macquarie and ANZ are seeking class closure orders ahead of mediation in three class actions over flexible commissions schemes, telling a court hearing they will be “completely at sea” without a better idea of the class size.
A senior ANZ executive was “deeply concerned” by the size of the shortfall in its $2.5 billion 2015 equity capital raising, the court heard on the first day of trial in ASIC’s civil penalty case against the bank over alleged disclosure breaches.
The competition regulator has cast doubt on the public interest argument for the proposed $4.9 billion ANZ, Suncorp tie-up, saying Tuesday the nature, likelihood and extent of the touted benefits had not been substantiated.
ANZ has been hit with a $10 million penalty in a case brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission alleging the bank’s home loan ‘introducer’ referral program breached credit laws.
A law firm has won its second bid for a group costs order in three class actions against banks over flexible commission schemes after a judge in 2021 rejected what was then the first-ever application for a contingency fee.
Maurice Blackburn has had a second crack at a group costs order in three class actions against banks over alleged flexible commission schemes after a judge in 2021 rejected what was then the first-ever application for a contingency fee.
Westpac has lost a bid to keep group members in the dark about the premiums paid for allegedly worthless consumer credit insurance, information the bank said could inflate expectations about settlements worth $126 million reached in three class actions.
Westpac has objected to several proposed notices going out to group members in a class action over ‘junk’ consumer credit insurance, which three of the Big Four banks have agreed to pay $126 million to settle.