ASIC still concerned over PIS advice

An independent expert will ensure the group’s advice processes meet the standards set out in the EU, according to a statement from ASIC.

The monitoring will “test compliance of PIS’s personal advice with regulatory requirements, its ability to identify poor advice and the effectiveness of its advice audit and pre-vet functions,” ASIC stated.

The PIS EU was accepted in December 2010 and concluded in March 2012. ASIC said it still had concerns the group’s compliance and audit functions required further work and will follow up on EU outcomes where necessary.

The expert will report back to ASIC each quarter. According to ASIC PIS currently has 527 advisers.

ASIC acknowledged the work already done by PIS as a result of the EU and said the group had cooperated with ASIC’s inquiries.