Australian Banking Association Limited

The Australian Banking Association Ltd seeks authorisation on behalf of its ABA member banks, their subsidiary banks and future ABA members (Member Banks). Authorisation is sought to enable ABA’s Member Banks to participate in discussions for the purpose of developing potential industry initiatives to prevent, detect, disrupt and respond to scams affecting individual and small business customers and to develop and in principle agree to the content of a standard reflecting these initiatives. This application for authorisation relates to development of the initiatives and a draft industry standard only. The ABA has indicated that it would seek a further authorisation at the appropriate time in relation to implementation of the industry standard.

Authorisation is sought for 12 months.

ABA sought urgent interim authorisation to enable the Proposed Conduct to occur while the ACCC considers the substantive application.

On 3 August 2023, the ACCC granted interim authorisation with conditions for certain conduct to occur while the ACCC considers the substantive application. The ACCC has granted interim authorisation with reporting and transparency conditions to ensure that the ACCC is informed of the progress of their discussions, including consultation with stakeholders, and to manage the risk of ABA Members coordinating on anything beyond scam prevention and customer redress.

On 13 October 2023, the ACCC issued a draft determination with conditions, proposing to grant authorisation until 30 June 2024.

The ACCC invites the views of interested parties on this draft determination. Submissions are requested by 10 November 2023. If you wish to make a submission in relation to this matter, please lodge it via web form.

An indicative timeline for the ACCC’s assessment is set out below.