CBA is ditching its derivatives trading account
The major bank quietly announced the news to customers in June.
The Commonwealth Bank has confirmed it will be closing its derivatives trading account CommSec CFDs from August in a move to simplify its product offering.
The product changes are the latest made by Australia's big banks after the recent financial services royal commission shone the spotlight on risky offerings and unethical sales tactics used in the banking sector.
A CommSec spokesperson said the change was part of the CBA's focus on "becoming a simpler, better bank" and that contracts for difference (CFDs) – a type of derivative trading product – no longer align with its "purpose and strategy". The bank said they will no longer be an investment option through CommSec from 25 July 2019 and all CFD accounts will be closed from 16 August.
Key dates to know
| CommSec CFD trading account closure dates | |
|---|---|
| Last trading day to open positions | 19 July 2019, 4:00pm AEST |
| Last trading day to close positions | 25 July 2019, 4:00pm AEST |
| Any remaining open positions closed out by CommSec | From 25 July 2019, 5:00pm AEST |
| Any cash balance transferred into your linked bank account | From 29 July 2019 |
| All CFD accounts closed | From 16 August 2019 |
CommSec's main share trading account will apparently continue as normal and some derivatives products, such as exchange traded options (ETOs) and warrants, will still be made available for customers.
CFDs are a relatively new product in Australia. Essentially, they're contracts that allow investors to bet on the price movements of an underlying share or other security, such as foreign currency.
But after the royal commission pointed the finger at risky bank offerings, the big four are likely rethinking their strategy around products such as CFDs and other kinds of derivatives which are closely watched by ASIC and have been flagged by the corporate watchdog as too "complex" for inexperienced investors.
The changes come as the major banks continue their retreat from financial advice businesses. Last month, CBA confirmed to The Australian Financial Review that it's reviewing options to sell off CommSec's financial advice arm, CommSec Advisory, while Westpac, ANZ and NAB have all announced similar plans to abandon their advice and personal wealth arms over the next few years.
Read our guide for more information on CFDs.
