Natalie Ann Carter

Background

Between 2018 and 2020, Ms Carter created various false documents for the purpose of obtaining home loans for herself and two clients. The documents were fake pay slips, contracts and employment verification forms from fictitious employers. In total, seven home loans were applied for, totalling $2.91m in value. At least three of the seven home loan applications were successful to the total value of $1,087,700.

Ms Carter’s engagement at the Hawke’s Bay-based brokerage was terminated in January 2020. The FMA was subsequently notified of several concerns, prompting an investigation. During the investigation, Ms Carter misled, deceived, or attempted to deceive the FMA about the extent of the alleged offending.

In April 2021, Ms Carter applied to join another brokerage, with the intention of working under the firm’s Financial Advice Provider (FAP) licence as an Authorised Body, through a company that she owned. During the application process, Ms Carter made false or misleading statements on two FMA documents, which must be provided to the FMA where an Authorised Body joins an FAP licence holder. She also failed to declare she was being investigated for dishonesty and misrepresented the nature of the FMA's investigation.

Ms Carter was convicted on all charges she pleaded guilty to and was sentenced to 12 months detention.

Timeline

March 2024
Natalie Ann Carter, a former Hawke’s Bay-based mortgage broker, has been sentenced to 12 months home detention following a criminal prosecution brought by the FMA.

Ms Carter appeared in the Napier District Court yesterday for sentencing after pleading guilty to the following charges:

• Forgery (x3)
• Obtaining credit by deception exceeding $1000 (x2)
• Attempting to obtain credit by deception exceeding $1000 (x2) 
• Using a forged document (x2)
• Deceived or attempted to deceive or knowingly mislead the FMA 
• Making a false or misleading statement

Judge Gordon Matenga convicted Ms Carter on all charges and imposed a starting point of imprisonment, which was ultimately commuted to 12 months home detention after discounts were applied.

As a result of her conviction, Ms Carter is automatically banned from being a director or taking part in the management of a company for five years. As part of the sentencing, the FMA also sought an additional ban under the Financial Markets Conduct Act to prohibit Ms Carter from providing financial advice services or contributing to the provision of those services for five years, which was granted by Judge Matenga.

December 2023
Ms Carter pleads guilty to a further three criminal charges. The three further charges Ms Carter pleaded guilty are:

• Making a false document
• Making false or misleading statements
• Deceived or attempted to deceive or knowingly mislead the FMA

November 2023

Natalie Ann Carter, a former Hawke’s Bay-based mortgage broker, has pleaded guilty to a further three criminal charges brought against her by the FMA.

Ms Carter faced 15 charges following an investigation into her conduct between 2018-2021. She pleaded guilty to eight of the 15 charges during a court appearance in November. Ms Carter pleaded guilty to a further three charges in the Napier District Court yesterday. The FMA agreed to withdraw the four remaining charges.

The three further charges Ms Carter pleaded guilty are:

• Making a false document
• Making false or misleading statements
• Deceived or attempted to deceive or knowingly mislead the FMA

Ms Carter will be sentenced on all charges in the Napier District Court on 12 March 2024.