Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Banks welcome appointment of first Chief Scams Officer

26 March 2026

The ABA welcomes the appointment of David Lacey to lead the Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s new external scams dispute resolution service.

ABA CEO Simon Birmingham congratulated Mr Lacey on his appointment to this important new role within AFCA.

“Mr Lacey brings extensive experience in law enforcement, in fighting financial crime as well as liaising directly with scam victims to this critical role,” Mr Birmingham said.

“Australia is taking an unprecedented approach to scam prevention by holding telcos and digital platforms alongside banks to account for the actions they take to protect customers from scams.

“This includes a new single body within AFCA, overseen by Mr Lacey, where customers can access free external dispute resolution and where all three sectors will be held to account if they fail to meet obligations to consumers.

“The ABA looks forward to working with AFCA and Mr Lacey as this new external dispute resolution function is stood up. Banks also remain committed to working with all stakeholders as rollout of the broader Scam Prevention Framework progresses.”

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Alliance of Industry Associations: Concerns regarding inadequate consultation for complex legislative and regulatory reform
16 October 2026

We write on behalf of the undersigned Alliance of Industry Associations to raise a growing concern aboutgovernment’s inadequate consultation on recent complex legislative and regulatory reforms. We represent 30groups from across the economy including small, medium and large businesses, farmers, builders, retailers,universities and tax and accounting professionals. Our organisations support genuine and timely consultation as… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Australian banks continue efforts to counter financial abuse
14 October 2026

The ABA welcomes the release of the Federal Government’s response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ inquiry into financial abuse, released today. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham acknowledged the important work of the committee as well as the Government’s response and said banks were committed to protecting customers from the scourge of… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO interview with ABC Statewide Drive’s Jane Nield on regional banking
9 October 2026

E&OERadio InterviewInterview ABC Statewide Drive Victoria9 October 2026 Topics: Regional banking Jane Nield: Well, do you still have a bank branch in your local area? If you’re one of the more than 600 regional locations nationwide that have lost a bank in the last few years, did it have a big impact? So often, it… Read more »

Read more