Hall & Wilcox advises Islamic Bank Australia on becoming the first Islamic bank licensed in Australia
Hall & Wilcox has advised Islamic Bank Australia on becoming the first Islamic bank licensed in Australia. The bank has been granted its restricted ADI licence, and will operate as a fintech.
The Hall & Wilcox team prepared a submission to the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) under the Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998 (Cth) for approval of shareholdings in excess of 20% with respect to IBA’s restricted authorised deposit taking institution licence application (RADI).
The team also prepared the Australian credit licence (ACL) and Australian financial services licence (AFSL) applications to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and advised on corporate structuring, an employee share option plan and a $10 million capital raising to meet regulatory capital requirements.
The Hall & Wilcox team comprised Partner John Bassilios, Consultant John Hutchison and Senior Associate Jasmine Koh.
John Bassilios said, ‘It has been pleasure working with CEO Dean Gillespie and the team on their submission to APRA and their AFSL and ACL applications. Congratulations to Islamic Bank Australia, Dean Gillespie and the team on achieving this wonderful milestone and also on becoming Australia’s first Islamic Bank. We wish Islamic Bank Australia every success and look forward to working with the team on a business-as-usual basis!’
John Hutchinson said, ‘We’re delighted to have assisted the IBA team in becoming the first Islamic bank licensed in Australia, a truly unique achievement.’
Islamic Bank Australia CEO Dean Gillespie said Islamic Bank Australia was originally founded by 13 Muslims who wanted to bring Islamic banking to Australia for the first time.
‘With more than 3% of the Australian population of the Islamic faith, Shariah-compliant banking in Australia is long overdue. We thank the team at Hall & Wilcox for assisting us in this truly unique achievement of becoming Australia’s first Islamic bank.’
Hall & Wilcox is a leading independent law firm of more than 950 people, including over 110 partners. We service corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia.