Westpac Group acknowledges the APRA announcement in response to AUSTRAC’s Statement of Claim and is committed to cooperating with APRA in all aspects of its investigation and review.
As part of the announcement, APRA is requiring Westpac Group to increase its operational risk capital requirement by $500 million.
Westpac Group’s Chairman, Lindsay Maxsted said, “Westpac accepts the gravity of the issues presented by AUSTRAC.
“As previously stated, these shortcomings are unacceptable and we are determined to urgently fix these issues and lift our standards.
“We will provide our full support to APRA through its investigation and review.”
In addition to APRA’s actions and as announced on 28 November, Westpac has appointed Promontory to undertake an Accountability and Financial Crime Program Review, which is currently underway.
The additional $500 million operational risk capital requirement, which will be implemented through an increase in risk-weighted assets, will apply from 31 December 2019. This change is expected to reduce Westpac’s Level 2, common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio by approximately 16 basis points, based on the Group’s balance sheet as at 30 September 2019.
Attachment: APRA’s statement, dated 17 December 2019.
