No Credit Check :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Court Imposes $11 Million Penalty on Advice Firm for Breaching Remuneration Rules

Court Imposes $11 Million Penalty on Advice Firm for Breaching Remuneration Rules

Court Imposes $11 Million Penalty on Advice Firm for Breaching Remuneration Rules?w=400

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 Federal Court has imposed a substantial $11 million penalty on a financial advice firm after discovering the firm breached conflicted remuneration regulations.
The case revealed that DOD Bookkeeping, formerly Equiti Financial Services, engaged in practices that involved providing standardized advice that improperly favored in-house property investments.

DOD Bookkeeping, now in liquidation, had previously incentivized three financial advisers by paying them a total of $130,250 in bonuses. These advisers were found to have improperly encouraged clients to roll over their superannuation into self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) and subsequently purchase properties through Equiti Property, a related entity. Each bonus payment ranged from $750 to $1500, with advisers receiving multiple bonuses each year.

Equiti Financial Services offered a suite of services, including financial advice, SMSF establishment and administration, real estate recommendations through Equiti Property, and mortgage broking via Equiti Finance. However, its Australian financial services licence was revoked by ASIC in November 2024, following a payment from the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.

During the court proceedings, testimonies from 12 clients surfaced, highlighting the firm's failure to tailor financial advice to personal circumstances. Evidence showed that two advisers earned almost $240,000 annually, with nearly 40 percent of their income stemming from bonuses-heightening concerns of conflicted advice.

The court's judgment emphasized the detrimental influence the bonus payments had on the advisers' recommendations, violating the conflicted remuneration laws introduced in 2013 under the Future of Financial Advice reforms. These laws aim to prevent financial advisers from receiving incentives that could bias their advice or product recommendations.

This ruling underscores the rigorous standards expected in Australia's SMSF sector and highlights the legal responsibilities of financial advisers to act in clients' best interests. ASIC's commitment to enforcing these standards seeks to uphold the integrity of financial advice and protect consumers from biased product promotions.

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance accountability within the financial sector, ASIC plans to ramp up scrutiny of SMSF advice. This includes conducting comprehensive reviews, with the findings due in late 2025. The sector faces mounting pressure to raise operational standards and restrict access to SMSFs to suitable candidates, particularly as more claims may implicate the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.

ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court highlighted the significance of the penalty, emphasizing the need for financial service licensees to prioritize client interests above all. This judgment serves as a stern warning to firms that exploit contractual loopholes for financial gain at consumers' expense.

Published:Friday, 2nd May 2025
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Finance News

Debt Consolidation Demand Rises as Households Juggle Repayments
Debt Consolidation Demand Rises as Households Juggle Repayments
28 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Debt consolidation is moving back into focus as Australians continue to balance higher living costs, credit card balances, buy now pay later commitments and personal loan repayments. Recent finance sector commentary suggests more borrowers are looking for ways to simplify their debts, not necessarily to borrow more, but to make existing obligations easier to manage. - read more
ASIC’s Private Credit Warning: What It Means for Borrowers
ASIC’s Private Credit Warning: What It Means for Borrowers
21 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s fast-growing private credit market is again under the regulatory spotlight, with ASIC warning that borrowers, investors and superannuation members may be more exposed to private lending risks than many realise. The latest concern centres on a sector that has expanded as banks have become more selective, especially in areas such as property development, construction finance and specialist business lending. - read more
HSBC Penalty Puts Scam Protection Back in the Spotlight
HSBC Penalty Puts Scam Protection Back in the Spotlight
23 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
HSBC Bank Australia has been ordered to pay a $35 million penalty after admitting serious failures in how it protected customers from scams. The case is significant because it moves beyond warning consumers to be alert and places stronger focus on the systems banks use to detect, prevent and respond to unauthorised transactions. - read more
Surge in Personal Loan Borrowing as Australians Face Rising Living Costs
Surge in Personal Loan Borrowing as Australians Face Rising Living Costs
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
In the first quarter of 2026, Australians borrowed a record $5.1 billion in new personal loans, reflecting the mounting financial pressures from escalating living costs. This significant increase underscores the challenges many individuals face in managing daily expenses. - read more
OnDeck Boosts Lightning Loan Limits to Empower Australian SMEs
OnDeck Boosts Lightning Loan Limits to Empower Australian SMEs
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
OnDeck Australia has announced an increase in its Lightning Loan limits, now offering up to $300,000 in unsecured funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This enhancement aims to meet the growing demand for quick and accessible business financing. - read more
Australian Businesses Show Renewed Confidence with Increased Credit Demand
Australian Businesses Show Renewed Confidence with Increased Credit Demand
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
In December 2025, Australian businesses demonstrated a significant increase in credit demand, with applications rising by 5.1% compared to the previous year. This uptick suggests a shift from cautious financial management to proactive investment in growth and expansion. - read more
RIC's New Financial Support for Australia's Primary Producers
RIC's New Financial Support for Australia's Primary Producers
09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) has announced the introduction of two new low-interest loan products aimed at supporting Australian farmers and fishers grappling with the adverse effects of drought and harmful algal blooms. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to bolstering the resilience of the nation's primary producers in the face of environmental challenges. - read more
Dashdot's Sudden Collapse: Impact on Australian Property Investors
Dashdot's Sudden Collapse: Impact on Australian Property Investors
09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
In a significant development within Australia's property investment sector, buyer's agency Dashdot has collapsed, leaving hundreds of clients financially impacted. This event has raised serious concerns about the practices and stability of buyer's agencies operating in the country. - read more
AFIA Endorses Federal Budget's Commitment to SME Support
AFIA Endorses Federal Budget's Commitment to SME Support
09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has expressed strong support for the Federal Budget's emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) support, regulatory reform, and economic resilience. This endorsement highlights the critical role of SMEs in Australia's economy and the necessity for policies that foster their growth and sustainability. - read more
APRA Implements New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans
APRA Implements New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans
25 May 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 1, 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending portfolios. This measure is designed to address concerns over escalating property prices and the potential for financial instability. - read more


Finance Articles

What to Do if You've Been Denied a Loan Due to Your Credit Score
What to Do if You've Been Denied a Loan Due to Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a critical number that plays a significant role in your financial life. It represents your creditworthiness, or in simpler terms, how reliable you are in repaying borrowed money. - read more
Business Loans Without a Traditional Credit Check: What Australian Borrowers Should Know
Business Loans Without a Traditional Credit Check: What Australian Borrowers Should Know
Business loans without a traditional credit check are usually assessed through cash flow, trading data, invoices, bank statements, security and business viability rather than relying only on a credit score. - read more
Effective Debt Management Tips for Young Adults
Effective Debt Management Tips for Young Adults
Managing debt effectively is crucial for young adults, especially as they start building their financial independence. Understanding how to manage debt properly can help you avoid financial pitfalls and set you up for a stable future. - read more
Budgeting Basics to Keep Your Credit Score Healthy While Seeking a Loan
Budgeting Basics to Keep Your Credit Score Healthy While Seeking a Loan
Understanding the nuances of financial health is a crucial component in the journey of loan acquisition. It is the bedrock on which potential borrowers build their case for credibility and reliability. Among the myriad of factors influencing your fiscal stability, credit scores stand out as a beacon indicating your creditworthiness to lenders. A robust credit score simplifies the path to securing loans, garnering favorable interest rates, and negotiating better terms. - read more
Navigating Financial Uncertainty: Tips for Managing Money Worries
Navigating Financial Uncertainty: Tips for Managing Money Worries
Financial stress is a common issue that affects a large portion of individuals, often due to unexpected expenses, unemployment, or a high cost of living. It can lead to both mental and emotional strain, influencing one's quality of life and decision-making abilities. Credit scores, a critical measurement of financial health, are used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money. - read more
Understanding Your Credit File: How to Seek Loans without Negative Impacts
Understanding Your Credit File: How to Seek Loans without Negative Impacts
Understanding financial health is paramount when venturing into the realm of loan acquisition. It's the backbone that supports not just your immediate monetary requirements but ensures longevity in your fiscal stability. At the heart of this understanding lies a critical aspect: the credit score. It's a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness, influenced by past fiscal decisions and behaviors. - read more
Understanding Soft Credit Checks: Safeguard Your Score During Loan Comparison
Understanding Soft Credit Checks: Safeguard Your Score During Loan Comparison
When embarking on the journey to secure financing, particularly for significant purchases such as a car, your credit score takes center stage in the eyes of lenders. A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, derived from your financial history and behaviors. It wields substantial influence on your ability to acquire loans with favorable terms. - read more
How No-Credit-Check Loan Assessments Work in Australia
How No-Credit-Check Loan Assessments Work in Australia
No-credit-check loans in Australia can be misunderstood. This guide explains what the term may mean, what lenders may still assess, and how to approach these loans with care. - read more
Steps to Take Immediately During a Financial Crisis: A Credit-Friendly Approach
Steps to Take Immediately During a Financial Crisis: A Credit-Friendly Approach
A financial crisis can come in many forms, such as a job loss, unexpected medical bills, or an economic downturn. These events can drastically alter your financial stability and may lead to financial distress. - read more
How to Use Credit Cards Wisely to Enhance Your Credit Score
How to Use Credit Cards Wisely to Enhance Your Credit Score
Your credit score is more than just a number; it's a reflection of your financial health. Essentially, it’s a numerical expression that represents your creditworthiness. Lenders use this score to assess the level of risk involved in lending you money. - read more


Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!

Loan Amount:

Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.

All finance quotes are provided free and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure:
A deed instrument in which a borrower conveys all interest in a property to the lender to satisfy a loan that is in default and avoid foreclosure.


Quick Links: | No Credit Check Loans | Personal Loans No Credit Check | Bad Credit Loans | Business Loans No Credit Check | Fast Cash Loans Australia | Unsecured Loans | Guaranteed Approval Loans | Short Term Loans | Emergency Loans | Same Day Loans