ASIC bans former ANZ adviser

According to ASIC, Craig Scott Miller was an employed as a financial adviser at ANZ between 2008 and 2015.

An investigation by the regulator found that between 2012 and 2014, Mr Miller engaged in conduct that was likely to mislead.

This included signing a client’s name on an ‘authority to proceed’ form and requesting that a client sign a blank ‘authority to provide information’ document. Mr Miller also allegedly altered an ATPI document after it had been signed by a client.

“Financial planners are required to meet stringent compliance standards to protect the interests of their clients and instill confidence in the broader financial advice industry,” said ASIC deputy chairman Peter Kell.

“ASIC will ensure advisers who fail to meet these standards are removed from the financial services industry.”

The outcome is a result of ASIC’s Wealth Management Project, which was established in October 2014 to lift the standards of major financial advice providers.

The project focuses on the conduct of the largest financial advice firms (NAB, Westpac, CBA, ANZ, Macquarie and AMP).

[Related: Ex-broker admits to multi-million dollar fraud]