ASX fails to meet RBA standards in FY26 assessment

• The Reserve Bank of Australia found that ASX is still falling short of regulatory expectations regarding governance, operational resilience, and risk management.
• The central bank upgraded ratings for clearing and settlement divisions but noted the change does not reflect broad operational risk improvements.
• The regulator announced that its upcoming review will specifically examine transformation progress, financial risk models, and critical service continuity.

ASX (ASX:ASX) is still falling short of regulatory expectations in governance, operational resilience, and risk management, according to the latest assessment by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The central bank noted that while the market operator strengthened its clearing house resourcing following a major system outage in December 2024, significant improvements remain necessary.

"Ensuring that the organisational reset allows ASX to discharge its unique responsibilities in Australia’s financial system will take sustained commitment and focus," said Reserve Bank of Australia Assistant Governor Brad Jones.

The central bank stated that its next review will specifically evaluate the independence of clearing facilities, continuity of critical services, financial risk models, and overall transformation progress.

Following the announcement the ASX share price was unchanged at $57.73.

The exchange operator has faced intense regulatory scrutiny from both the central bank and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission after repeated operational failures.

The regulatory interventions follow years of criticism surrounding the company's delayed and troubled replacement project for its core clearing and settlement infrastructure.