ANZ comments on money laundering scandal

ANZ has rejected reports that it is linked to the money laundering syndicates in the widely publicised CBA case, stating that it has systems in place to ensure it complies with anti-money laundering obligations, including processes to monitor and report suspicious activity.

“We understand our role in keeping the Australian financial system safe,” ANZ chief risk officer Nigel Williams said. "We have systems in place, including training for every staff member, to ensure we comply with our anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.

“We strongly support AUSTRAC’s role in disrupting serious financial crime and will continue to meet our obligations to monitor and report suspicious activity to AUSTRAC and the Australian Federal Police.”

The bank highlighted that it also complies with its obligation to conduct thorough ‘know your customer’ checks and to report all overseas fund transfers to AUSTRAC.

“ANZ is not aware of any regulatory investigations into ANZ’s AML compliance in Australia or overseas,” the group said, noting that AUSTRAC reviewed ANZ’s ATMs and Intelligent Deposit Machines in late 2015 and advised ANZ in February 2017 that it found no evidence of non-compliance with anti-money laundering regulation.

ANZ completed a thorough risk assessment prior to the introduction of Smart ATMs in 2013, which saw deposits limited to $5,000.

[Related: CBA cuts executive bonuses]