ASIC has permanently banned financial adviser, Mrs Donna Knightsbridge of Southport in Queensland, from providing financial services.

ASIC permanently banned Mrs Knightsbridge following an investigation into her conduct as an authorised representative of Pivotal Financial Advisers Limited (Pivotal) during the period of 19 January 2004 to15 December 2004.

Specifically, ASIC found Mrs Knightsbridge falsified documents relating to a client’s application for a disability income policy for life insurance including an Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment and a letter from an accountant.

Pivotal notified ASIC about Mrs Knightsbridge’s conduct and cooperated fully with ASIC’s inquiries.

‘ASIC will not hesitate to remove those from the industry who engage in misconduct to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the financial services industry,’ said ASIC’s Executive Director, Compliance, Ms Jennifer O’Donnell said.

‘Licensees play an important role in helping ASIC do this by informing us about representatives who demonstrate an inability to act honestly and lawfully.’

Mrs Knightsbridge has the right to lodge an application for review of ASIC’s decision with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.