Defunct Westpac home loan unit RAMS has been hit with a $20 million penalty after admitting to widespread misconduct at its franchises over a four-year period.
A judge has raised concerns about whether an agreed-to $20 million penalty against Westpac’s defunct home loan subsidiary RAMS is enough to deter other lenders from breaking credit rules.
Westpac has lost a dispute with a part-time employee who asked to work from home to care for two young children and was told by a manager that “working from home is no substitution for childcare”.
A judge has signed off on Westpac’s $130 million settlement in a class action over flexible commissions paid to car dealers, bringing to an end three cases brought by Maurice Blackburn against lenders.
Westpac’s defunct mortgage unit RAMS has accused a class action by former franchisees of attempting to “hijack” civil penalty proceedings by the corporate regulator by seeking to intervene in the case.
Westpac can shield reports prepared by Allens from a class action over money laundering compliance, with a judge finding they were produced predominantly in defence of AUSTRAC action that preceded the case.
Former franchisees involved in a class action against RAMS are seeking to intervene in ASIC civil penalty proceedings against the defunct Westpac subsidiary.
Clayton Utz has boosted the expertise in its risk advisory practice, hiring a trio of lawyers from CBA and A&O Shearman.
Danish renewables company European Energy has closed a $130 million financing package for two solar projects in Victoria and NSW.
NAB has agreed to pay a $15.5 million penalty for failing to respond to customer hardship notices, around half the size of the penalty ASIC is seeking against Westpac for similar breaches of the Credit Code.