Westpac fined over interest rate swap pre-hedging

Court finds against Australian bank for “unconscionable” behaviour, amid calls for broader guidance around the practice

Westpac
KC Hunter/Alamy

Westpac has been fined by an Australian court for engaging in “unconscionable” pre-hedging practices when it executed an A$12 billion ($9.1 billion) interest rate swap in 2016. 

The Federal Court of Australia found today (January 31) that Westpac will have to pay the maximum penalty of A$1.8 million in relation to the conduct, and A$8 million to cover for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s legal costs. 

The court charged Westpac over its conduct related to a deal with a fund

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here