About Kerensa Sneyd
Kerensa is a financial services expert specialising in banking regulation, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF).
She is a trusted advisor to domestic and international banks, non-bank lenders (particularly those in the buy-now-pay-later and auto-finance sectors), casino and online wagering companies and payment platforms/payment facilitators. Kerensa advises on a broad range of strategically significant issues relating to AML/CTF compliance, ACL and AFSL licensing obligations, retail product design and distribution, the National Credit Code, payment instruments and platforms, breach reporting, unfair contract terms compliance, industry code compliance (eg the Banking Code of Practice and the ePayments Code), large-scale regulatory reform and remediations. She is also experienced in compliance management, establishing regulatory compliance frameworks and supporting systems for consumer lending businesses.
Kerensa co-leads Allens’ AML/CTF practice and is a member of the Law Council of Australia’s Financial Services Committee (Business Law Section) and the Banking and Financial Services Law Association. She also leads Allens’ relationship as an Associate Member of the Australian Finance Industry Association.
Kerensa's recent experience includes:
- advising Westpac and Crown Resorts on various AML/CTF issues arising out of civil penalty proceedings commenced by AUSTRAC;
- advising major Australian and international banks, superannuation funds, leading online wagering companies and bullion providers on various AML/CTF matters, including AML/CTF program development and uplift, compliance remediation, regulator engagement, exemption applications and general strategic advice;
- acting for various entities subject to the appointment by AUSTRAC of external auditors, including advice in relation to historical non-compliance, remediation and uplift programs of work and AUSTRAC engagement;
- establishing Angle Auto Finance following Cerberus Capital Management's acquisition of Westpac's auto finance business;
- advising on all aspects of establishing a new captive auto-financier in Australia, including credit licensing, development of compliance and operational risk frameworks, template contracts, dealer agreements, product collateral and the provision of ongoing regulatory advice;
- advising a major Australian bank on the regulatory aspects of its new digital banking platform and the launch of digital-led banking products and services;
- advising major and regional banks, non-bank lenders and BNPL providers on all laws relevant to the businesses, with a specific focus on the National Consumer Credit Protection Act, the AML/CTF Act, the ASIC Act and the unfair contract terms regime; and
- advising leading buy-now-pay-later providers on a range of financial services regulatory matters, including in relation to regulated and unregulated consumer credit arrangements, breach reporting, payment systems, AML/CTF and compliance with the AFIA Buy-Now-Pay-Later Code of Practice.