Balance of power shifting back to licensees
Under Australian law, financial advice licensees are recognised as powerful intermediaries between the distribution of financial products and household wealth. Now, licensees are starting to enjoy economic conditions commensurate with that heightened liability.
The biggest game in town: Inside AustralianSuper’s retirement income strategy
Since Jacki Ellis joined the nation’s biggest profit-to-member super fund as head of retirement just over one year ago, she’s been assessing and building the fund’s capabilities with the aim of delivering a fully personalised experience to all members by 2035. But that’s not to say there won’t be benefits for members who retire before that.
Sequoia chair resigns amid InterPrac turmoil
Mike Ryan, chair of ASX-listed Sequoia Financial Group which owns under-fire InterPrac Financial Planning, has resigned from the company as the group grapples with multiple legal troubles in the aftermath of the $1 billion Shield and First Guardian collapse.
Associations coordinate calls to add MISs to CSLR
The Financial Advice Association Australia, SMSF Association and Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association have all called for managed investment schemes (MISs) to be included in the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort as a primary subsector.
Centrepoint expands Queensland presence with dual acquisitions
Centrepoint Alliance will acquire client books and salaried advisers from Queensland financial advice firms Cairns Wealth and Pinnacle Wealth from Astute Financial Management, expanding its salaried advice business.
The missing role of judgement in financial advice
Financial advisers inhabit a vast world of technical compliance and many believe that if they can just tick every box and satisfy every technical requirement, they will have adequately discharged their obligations. But Templestone CEO Shivi Malik writes the reality is this is never enough.
Why most financial advice scandals give a sense of Déjà vu
Most financial advice scandals are depressingly familiar, often following a similar playbook with predictable results, writes Simon Hoyle. While the players involved may change, the fundamental story doesn’t and it won’t be the last time it’s told.
PFAN adds life insurance stalwarts to board
The Pro Bono Financial Advice Network has added life insurance stalwarts Eima Alkheder and Ben Donald to its board, as the group continues its expansion and mission to assist Australians with serious illness or disability to access pro bono financial advice.
Fintech looks to add 50 advisers in three years with private advisory launch
Wealth management fintech Openmarkets has revealed plans to expand into private wealth with the goal of adding 50 financial advisers to its AFSL in the next three years as it pivots to a B2B model in the aftermath of regulatory action that has been settled with ASIC.
Markets looking through turbulence as earnings growth underpins equities: AMP
Despite geopolitical turbulence, markets are avoiding short-term turmoil and reacting to the underlying fundamentals showing the strength of major economies, a pair of AMP investment executives told the Professional Planner Managed Accounts Decoded podcast.
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Your guide to investment innovation
Australia’s great wealth transfer is accelerating as baby boomers age, driving demand for multi-generational advice spanning succession, estate planning, philanthropy and complex family dynamics. This guide explores the growing opportunity for advisers to support wealthy families with long-term, independent strategies.
Lessons from the middle: Leadership, resilience and the courage of conviction
The principles of high-performance leadership – whether in business or sport – remain remarkably consistent and include the ability to maintain clarity, integrity, and conviction under immense pressure. Former Australian test cricketer Usman Khawaja told the Top1000funds.com Fiduciary Investors Symposium that the only time you really lose is when you stop trying.
Reflecting on nearly half a century in financial advice
After an extensive 47-year career, Paul Harding-Davis says that while every decade has seen a significant step change that has felt like an “Armageddon” it has instead only seen the standard of the industry improve. Reflecting on his long career to Professional Planner, he is still evangelical about recruiting young people to advice.
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