Newcastle adviser cops five-year ASIC ban

ASIC has issued a five-year ban on Darron Mink, prohibiting him from providing financial services, engaging in credit activities, or controlling a financial services business.

Mink, previously an authorised representative of AMP Financial Planning and the sole director of Pinnacle Financial and Investment Services, faced these sanctions for regulatory breaches.

Regulatory breaches uncovered

ASIC found that Mink lacked adequate training and competency to provide financial services or engage in credit activities, citing several instances of misconduct, including:

• placing himself in a real conflict of interest without proper management
• failure to provide appropriate advice to clients
• issuing confusing advice documents
• a lack of understanding regarding the importance of following proper processes for obtaining client signatures

Banning orders and review

The banning orders against Mink were made on June 2. In response, on June 14, Mink applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of ASIC’s decisions and sought stay and confidentiality orders. However, on Dec. 6, he withdrew his application for these orders.

Consumer Resources

In a media release, ASIC encouraged consumers to visit its Moneysmart website, which provides information on how to choose a financial adviser, steps to take when filing complaints against financial advisers, and guidance on actions to be taken if an adviser faces a ban.

For recent ASIC actions, read this and this.

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