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Perspective
12 Feb 2020
15 minute read

Revised RG97, another step towards transparency?

Overview

 On 29 November 2019 ASIC released its updated guidance on fees and cost disclosure for issuers of superannuation and managed investment products with the revised Regulatory Guide 97 Disclosure of fees and costs in PDSs and periodic statements (RG 97). The purpose of RG 97 is to drive greater transparency and consistency in fees and cost disclosures so that consumers can make informed, value-for-money decisions about their investments.

James Oliver

More about our authors

James Oliver

Deloitte - Australia
James is a partner with 20+ years of controls assurance, regulatory and risk management experience. He is focused on the financial services sector. He has worked across our London, Sydney and Melbourne offices. James’ sector focus includes superannuation (retail, corporate, industry and govt), custody, investment management (retail, wholesale, SWF’s) and the service providers to these sectors. Particular areas of focus and interest include investment governance, internal audit, unit pricing and regulatory assurance work. James assisted in the creation of the GS 007 assurance standard for wealth management controls in Australia. He is collaborative, client-centric, comfortable presenting to Boards and regulators, and will ensure you get access to the best expertise from across the Deloitte network.
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In releasing the package of reforms, ASIC stated in its media release that it will:

  1. Work with industry bodies to clarify how financial advisers should use fees and costs in product disclosure statements (PDS) to inform their advice to clients.
  2. Monitor fees and costs disclosures and evaluate the action where there is misconduct.

Given that the new disclosure requirements in the updated RG 97 will apply to all PDSs issued on or after 30 September 2020, it is critical to prepare for the new requirements now, given the short timeframe for implementation.

Periodic and exit statements with reporting periods commencing from 1 July 2021 must comply with the new requirements. However, where a fund is ready, an early opt-in is available for reporting periods commencing from 1 July 2020.

ASIC’s communications, including the use of the term misconduct, suggests that it will not tolerate incorrect disclosures – whether they are deliberate, due to a poor understanding of the requirements, or poor implementation processes.

The changes follow ASIC’s Consultation Paper (CP 308) in relation to proposed amendments to RG 97 and incorporates all key recommendations from the independent expert, Darren McShane’s report of August 2018 that was issued to ASIC.  Modification of the law has been achieved by way of two legislative instruments, ASIC Corporations (Disclosure of Fees and Costs) Instrument 2019/1070 and ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2019/1071.

RG 97 requirements can be complex for many issuers.  There can be many questions of interpretation, data sourcing challenges, and complex calculation models.   Often we see that there is only a small number of people with sufficient in-depth knowledge of the products, the RG 97 requirements, and the data and calculation processes.  There is often very limited independent assurance provided to Disclosure Committees and Boards

RG 97 requirements can be complex for many issuers.  There can be many questions of interpretation, data sourcing challenges, and complex calculation models.   Often we see that there is only a small number of people with sufficient in-depth knowledge of the products, the RG 97 requirements, and the data and calculation processes.  There is often very limited independent assurance provided to Disclosure Committees and Boards

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