APRA has released a discussion document on the future of the Points of Presence statistics which they currently produce. The data provides useful industry level information on channel behaviour and usage, and is highly relevant in the context of digital disruption and migration. The paper suggests modification of the reporting, or possibly a cessation. We believe the POP data is highly relevant and useful and attempts to stop reporting should be resisted.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is the prudential regulator of the Australian financial services industry. It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurers, friendly societies, and most of the superannuation industry. APRA collects a broad range of financial and risk data from regulated institutions as inputs to its supervisory assessments. Data collected from regulated and unregulated institutions also assist the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and other financial sector agencies to perform their roles. APRA also collects some data to enable APRA to publish information about regulated institutions, and in other cases, to assist the Minister to formulate financial policy. Much of the data APRA collects are used for multiple purposes to reduce the burden of reporting.
APRA publishes as much of the data collected as are considered useful and as resources permit, subject to APRA’s confidentiality obligations with respect to individual institutions’ data. Publication of industry-level statistics enhances understanding of the industries regulated by APRA, aids public discussion on policy issues, and supports well-informed decision-making by regulated institutions, policy-makers, market analysts and researchers. Publication of institution-level data, where possible, is also consistent with promoting the understanding of the financial soundness of regulated institutions.
APRA observes international statistical standards in developing, producing and managing its statistics (except in the few cases where doing so would conflict with APRA’s primary role as a prudential regulator). By doing so, APRA helps protect commercially-sensitive information provided by institutions, whilst providing statistics that are useful and reliable, and that meet the needs of users.
APRA publishes detailed banking services provided within Australia by Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADI) in its ADI Points of Presence (PoP) statistics. APRA is reviewing the PoP statistics to ensure that the statistics remain relevant and useful.
This paper focuses on two options for the future of the PoP statistics and data collection:
1. streamline the PoP statistics and data collection; or
2. cease the PoP statistics and data collection.APRA is seeking feedback on the proposed changes. Written submissions should be forwarded by 18 November 2015, preferably by email to:
Manager, Banking Statistics,
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
GPO Box 9836
Sydney NSW 2001
Email: statistics@apra.gov.au
