ASIC eyes conflicts in MAs

Stopping short of calling it vertically integrated, ASIC warns it aims to uncover any conflicts of interests in the managed accounts sector particularly as more AFSLs build in-house products.

- Karren Vergara

ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland said the managed accounts sector "can be very attractive for licensees at all parts of the product manufacturing and distribution value chain."

"So, we'll be looking at what conflicts may arise, what challenges they may present and how they are being managed," he told a recent IMAP conference.

ASIC has already flagged its enforcement priorities within managed accounts in its 2025-26 Corporate Plan, saying it will conduct a surveillance of AFSLs recommending and offering managed accounts to retail clients.