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Licensees
ASIC seeks court intervention into InterPrac sale
ASIC has commenced Federal Court proceedings seeking the appointment of a receiver to investigate a proposed sale of InterPrac Financial Planning over concerns the new owners would avoid paying mounting liabilities of the firm.
Chris DastoorApril 8, 2026
Licensees
Count to acquire advice firm Oracle in $72m deal
ASX-listed Count will acquire financial advice firm Oracle Group for $72.2 million, further expanding the national footprint of one of the country’s largest license owners. Count CEO Hugh Humphrey says the Oracle AFSL will be left behind and the firm’s 22 advisers will join Count’s employed advice channel.
Chris DastoorMarch 31, 2026
Industry
Court winds up Shield, First Guardian-linked advice practices
The Federal Court ordered that two of the advice firms at the forefront of the $1 billion Shield and First Guardian scandal, Venture Egg and United Financial Advice, will be wound up following an application by ASIC.
Chris DastoorMarch 26, 2026
Compliance
Fiducian cops ASX speeding ticket to cap rough week
A tough week for Fiducian has seen it receive rebukes from ASIC, APRA and the Australian Securities Exchange due to either incorrectly informing investors that a settlement has been made with the corporate regulator or not disclosing additional license conditions added to its super fund trustee.
Chris DastoorApril 2, 2026
Technology
Beware AI ‘blast radius’ in financial advice: Tech veteran
John Wise, a top Silicon Valley investor who co-founded some of the major US wealth tech firms, has warned on the dangers of incorrect application of AI, noting the right skill and expertise are needed to make use of the emerging technology. The comments come as Wise's Communify inked a deal with the country's largest licensee owner, Entireti.
Chris DastoorMarch 26, 2026
Superannuation2
Super switching paranoia drives misinformation campaign
The Super Members Council representing profit-to-member funds claims younger and lower-balance Australians are being transitioned by advisers to “risky” platforms and SMSFs, while the Financial Services Council has fired back with data suggesting it is mostly older, wealthier consumers being advised to switch their super. Aleks Vickovich writes the truth, as usual, is probably somewhere in between.
Aleks VickovichMarch 23, 2026
Regulation1
Liberal’s credentials on advice reform to be tested under Taylor, Hume
Newly elected Liberal leader Angus Taylor faces an uphill battle to keep the Coalition from splitting apart again and to reinvent the party as a viable force in politics. Having strongly advocated for advice reform prior to the last election, the opposition’s performance will be closely scrutinised by the profession.
Simon HoyleFebruary 13, 2026
Licensees1
InterPrac sale to Conquest ‘puzzling’: FAAA
The Financial Advice Association Australia is among those also surprised by the sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to Conquest Investment Partners, noting similar concerns to Shield and First Guardian investors about the future of client remediation.
Chris DastoorMarch 25, 2026
Industry
Ironbark to consolidate brands in shake-up to create national firm
Ironbark Financial Group will combine 15 different businesses into a single super firm with the goal of building a nationally recognised brand. In a rare media interview, CEO and co-founder Chris Larsen tells Professional Planner the goal is to create a national advice firm to become an industry leader and be more transparent with clients.
Chris DastoorMarch 18, 2026
InFocus
Volatile markets put minimum volatility strategies in the spotlight
The assumption that higher risk equals higher returns is generally true, however, BlackRock believes there is empirical evidence that less risky stocks deliver similar or even better risk-adjusted returns than higher volatility stocks over the long term.
Professional PlannerApril 7, 2026
Compliance1
‘Doesn’t add up’: InterPrac clients left anxious in sale aftermath
Shield and First Guardian investors that received advice via InterPrac Financial Planning are concerned about the future of remediation claims after its sale by ASX-listed owner Sequoia Financial Group. Such concerns include the motives of Conquest Investment Partners, which acquired the licensee, and whether the new company will avoid covering any liabilities by either launching more legal action or going into voluntary administration.
Chris DastoorMarch 24, 2026
Risk1
How pro bono advice delivers a helping hand in tough times
Navigating the world of insurance claims can be daunting, especially for people facing significant health or financial challenges. Financial adviser Natalie Lackner volunteered for the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network to help those in need secure access to advice.
Fiona HarrisJanuary 12, 2026
Industry
Profile CEO steps aside after seven years
Profile Financial Services CEO Lena Ridley will step away from the company at the end of next month, ending a nearly seven-year tenure that was marked by sweeping changes in the industry due to the Hayne royal commission, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the divestment of its product arm.
Chris DastoorOctober 10, 2024
Productivity fix needed to boost capacity to 200 clients per adviser