Revocation of authority to carry on banking business - Xinja Bank Limited

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au C2021G00164 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

Revocation of authority to carry on banking business

Banking Act 1959                                        

 

To: Xinja Bank Limited ABN 99 618 937 054 (the body corporate) SINCE:

  1. the body corporate, by notice in writing to APRA, has requested the revocation of its section 9 authority to carry on banking business in Australia (the authority); and

 

B.            I am satisfied that the revocation of the authority would not be contrary to the national interest or the interests of depositors of the body corporate,

 

I, Therese McCarthy Hockey, a delegate of APRA, under subsection 9A(1) of the Banking Act 1959 (the Act), REVOKE the authority.

 

Under subsection 9A(5A) of the Act, the authority continues in effect in relation to the matters and periods specified in the schedule, as though the revocation had not happened, for the purposes of the provisions of the Act as specified in the schedule.

 

This instrument commences on the day it is made. Dated: 26 February 2021

[Signed]

Therese McCarthy Hockey Executive Director Banking Division

 

Interpretation

In this instrument:

APRA means the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

banking business has the meaning given in subsection 5(1) of the Act.

Regulations means Banking Regulation 2016.

section 9 authority has the meaning given in subsection 5(1) of the Act.

Notes

APRA is required to publish notice of the revocation in the Gazette, and may also publish notice of the revocation in other ways.

Schedule – continuation of authority

The authority continues in effect in relation to the following matters and periods, as though the revocation had not happened, for the purposes of the following provisions of the Banking Act 1959 (the Act):

 

B.E.A.R.

 

  1. in relation to any breach, or possible breach, of a provision contained in Part IIAA of the Act which has occurred (or may have occurred) prior to the date of this instrument:

 

  1. section 37FC(d) ‘Events for which APRA must be notified’;
  2. section 37G ‘Pecuniary penalty for non-compliance with this Part’;
  3. section 37J ‘APRA may disqualify an accountable person’; and
  4. section 37JA ‘APRA may vary or revoke a disqualification’;

 

2.      in relation to variable remuneration which relates to the period prior to the date of this instrument, for the period of 4 years after the date of this instrument, Division 4 of Part IIAA ‘Deferred remuneration obligations’;

 

Investigations

 

3.      in relation to all matters occurring prior to the date of this instrument:

 

  1. Part VIII ‘Powers of APRA’; and
  2. section 62E ‘APRA may request information from liquidator’;

 

Directions

 

4.      for the period from the date of this instrument to when the operational accounts are transferred in their entirety to NAB:

 

  1. section 11CA ‘APRA may give directions in certain circumstances’;
  2. section 11CD ‘Direction not grounds for denial of obligations’;
  3. section 11CE ‘Supply of information about issue and revocation of directions’; and
  4. section 11CG ‘Non-compliance with a direction’;

 

Auditors

 

5.      in relation to any breach or possible breach of the Act, the Regulations, the applicable prudential standards, or any other law of the Commonwealth or a State or a Territory which has occurred or may have occurred prior to the date of this instrument, section 18 ‘Referring matters to professional associations for auditors’;

 

Proposed appointment of external administrator

 

6.      for the period from the date of this instrument to when the operational accounts are transferred in their entirety to NAB, section 62B ‘Involving APRA in proposed appointment of external administrators of ADIs and NOHCs’; and

 

Ancillary provisions

 

7.      in relation to any function or power under the Act which APRA had in relation to the body corporate, its responsible persons, and/or accountable persons prior to the date of this

instrument and in relation to any function or power that APRA has retained under this instrument as specified in this Schedule, section 18A ‘Enforceable undertakings’;

 

8.      in relation to the operational accounts, section 62D ‘Application by APRA for directions’;

 

9.      in relation to any conduct engaged in by the body corporate, its responsible persons and/or accountable persons prior to the period ending when the operational accounts are transferred in their entirety to NAB, section 65A ‘Injunctions’;

 

10.  in relation to any function or power under the Act which APRA had in relation to the body corporate and/or its responsible and accountable persons prior to the date of this instrument and in relation to any function or power that APRA has retained under this instrument as specified in this Schedule, section 65B ‘Civil penalties’; and

 

11.  in relation to any direction made by APRA under section 11CA, section 70AA ‘Protection from liability – directions and secrecy’;

 

12.  in relation to all matters for which APRA has retained its functions and powers under this instrument as specified in this Schedule, section 70B ‘Act has effect despite the Corporations Act’; and

 

13.  in relation to all protected documents and protected information existing at the date of this instrument, section 56 of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998.

 

 

Interpretation

In this schedule:

accountable person has the meaning given by sections 37BA and 37BB of the Act.

NAB means National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937.

operational accounts means the accounts with the body corporate identified in the request as a Fraud Operation Account, a Mastercard Suspense Account and a DE Transaction Operations Account.

prudential matter has the meaning given by section 5(1) of the Act.

prudential standard has the meaning given by section 5(1) of the Act.

request means the body corporate’s request to APRA for the revocation of its section 9 authority to carry on banking business in Australia dated 22 February 2021.

responsible person has the meaning given by the Banking, Insurance, Life Insurance and Health Insurance (prudential standard) determination No. 2 of 2018 (Prudential Standard CPS 520 Fit and Proper).

variable remuneration has the meaning given by section 37EA of the Act.

Overview

The Banking Act 1959, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to regulate the banking industry in Australia, ensuring financial stability and consumer protection. The Act grants the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) the power to supervise and regulate authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) to safeguard the interests of depositors and maintain the integrity of the financial system. This revocation instrument relates to the Banking Act 1959 and revokes Xinja Bank Limited's section 9 authority to carry on banking business in Australia, following the bank's request. The revocation is subject to APRA being satisfied that it is not contrary to the national interest or the interests of the bank's depositors. The revocation does not affect certain ongoing matters and periods as specified in the Schedule, including breaches of prudential standards, investigations, and directions issued by APRA. This revocation aims to ensure a smooth transition of Xinja Bank Limited's operations and protect the interests of its depositors and the broader financial system.

Scope and Application

The Banking Act 1959 applies to authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) and non-operating holding companies (NOHCs) in Australia, governing their activities and operations. The legislation specifically applies to Xinja Bank Limited, which has requested the revocation of its section 9 authority to carry on banking business in Australia. This revocation is granted by a delegate of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), who is satisfied that the revocation would not be contrary to the national interest or the interests of depositors. The authority is revoked in relation to specific matters and periods outlined in the schedule, which includes breaches of certain provisions of the Act, variable remuneration obligations, investigations, directions, and the appointment of external administrators. The revocation does not affect certain functions and powers retained by APRA, such as those related to events for which APRA must be notified, pecuniary penalties for non-compliance, disqualifying or varying disqualifications of accountable persons, and the protection of directors and officers from liability for certain actions. The revocation applies nationally, as it pertains to a Commonwealth authority's regulation of a banking entity operating within Australia. The Act may extend its application through subordinate instruments, such as the Banking Regulation 2016.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation (subsection 9A(5A)) allow for the continued effect of certain functions and powers of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) under the Banking Act 1959, despite the revocation of Xinja Bank Limited’s authority to carry on banking business in Australia. Specifically, the authority continues in relation to breaches of certain provisions under Part IIAA, variable remuneration obligations, investigations, directions, auditors, proposed appointments of external administrators, and various ancillary provisions. These sections outline the specific areas and periods for which APRA’s functions and powers remain applicable, ensuring continuity in regulatory oversight and enforcement activities. The obligations imposed on parties governed by this Act primarily concern APRA's continued role and responsibilities in specific areas despite the revocation of Xinja Bank Limited’s banking authority. APRA must ensure compliance with certain provisions, such as events requiring notification, pecuniary penalties, disqualification of accountable persons, and the variation or revocation of disqualifications. Additionally, APRA retains its investigative powers, the ability to give directions, and the authority to refer matters to professional associations for auditors. The Act also mandates that APRA's functions and powers in relation to the operational accounts, conduct prior to the transfer of these accounts to National Australia Bank Limited, and the protection from liability for certain directions, continue as specified in the schedule. There are no explicit offences or penalties detailed in this instrument for breaches of the Act’s provisions. However, APRA retains the authority to enforce various civil and criminal consequences under other sections of the Banking Act 1959 and related regulations. For instance, APRA can impose pecuniary penalties for non-compliance with Part IIAA, disqualify accountable persons, and take legal action for breaches of the Act. The penalties for such breaches can vary significantly, depending on the specific provision and the nature of the breach, with some penalties potentially leading to substantial fines or other sanctions. This legislation underscores the importance of maintaining regulatory oversight and ensuring the stability of the financial system, even in the event of a banking institution's revocation of its authority. By continuing certain functions and powers of APRA, the Act aims to protect the interests of depositors, maintain financial stability, and ensure that regulatory processes are not unduly interrupted. This approach ensures that any ongoing investigations, enforcement actions, or compliance requirements can proceed without interruption, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the banking sector.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.