The Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) share price may be in focus after the company revealed its $101 million exposure to the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund (FGMF) and steps underway to seek compensation for affected members.
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What did Netwealth Group report?
- 1,088 Netwealth members have a combined exposure of approximately $101 million to the FGMF collapse
- An application for financial assistance has been lodged with the Minister for Financial Services under Part 23 of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act
- Any financial assistance approved aims to restore impacted members to their pre-fraud positions
- Netwealth notes performance returns and valuations provided by FGMF's responsible entity are unreliable following the collapse
- ASIC and liquidators continue to investigate related entities and individuals
What else do investors need to know?
Netwealth, through its subsidiary Netwealth Superannuation Services, is pursuing compensation for members affected by the FGMF collapse, citing fraudulent conduct by Falcon Capital Limited and others. The outcome and timing of the financial assistance application remain uncertain as the Minister's consideration may take some time and compensation may be only partial.
ASIC is investigating the collapse, including Netwealth's role. The company maintains it complied with relevant laws but has stated it has the resources to address any proven legal or monetary obligations that may arise.
What did Netwealth Group management say?
Commenting on this development, Hayden Stockdale, Chief Financial Officer said:
We are continuing to work co-operatively with all relevant stakeholders including the Government, the Regulators and the liquidators to pursue the best possible financial outcomes for Netwealth members, whilst also supporting members' wellbeing as the relevant legal and regulatory processes take their course.
What's next for Netwealth Group?
Netwealth's main priority is restoring value to affected members and supporting them as legal investigations continue. The company will provide updates as its application for government assistance progresses and as more information emerges from regulatory and liquidator reviews.
Netwealth also remains focused on ongoing compliance and maintaining sufficient financial capacity should further obligations result from investigations or legal claims.
Netwealth Group share price snapshot
Netwealth shares have risen 15% over the past year, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 10% over the same period.
