‘Material uncertainty’ over Sequoia as a going concern
Sequoia Financial Group, the ASX-listed owner of the InterPrac financial advice licensee, has disclosed a material uncertainty over its ability to continue as a going concern as regulatory and legal actions engulf the licensee. Sequoia earlier flagged its intention to revive the sale of InterPrac as a precursor to trying once again to unwind a controversial deed of cross guarantee.
August 28, 2026
What Australian advisers can learn from their UK counterparts about AI and client relationships
A Netwealth report following a recent study tour of UK advice firms shows a promising industry where AI is complementary to human qualities such as empathy, curiosity and communication, rather than a replacement.
August 28, 2026
Budget and big super create tailwinds for advisers, licensees: Humphrey
The “structural tailwinds” of budget tax changes and big super’s focus on financial advice will help buoy financial advice and licensee businesses for years to come, says Count chief executive Hugh Humphrey. Both Count and fellow ASX-listed Centrepoint Alliance announced full-year results this week that reveal where they expect growth to come from.
August 27, 2026
FAAA’s Anderson to bid farewell with advocacy legacy assured
In November, Phil Anderson, the FAAA’s highly respected general manager of policy, advocacy and standards, will leave the association that he was instrumental in creating. Anderson departs with an enviable track record of advocating for advisers and their clients in the face of a deluge of regulatory reform and upheaval.
August 26, 2026
Financial advice ranks bottom in list of retirement confidence drivers
Vanguard research found financial advice is less crucial as a driver of retirement confidence, compared to factors like income security and being debt-free, but those with access to professional advice are likely to have a higher level of confidence about their retirement plans.
August 26, 2026
ASIC will be ‘easier to deal with, harder to avoid’: Chair
Sarah Court, the chair of ASIC, has “some sympathy” for the view that too much red tape is stymying business and productivity growth, but says that won’t stop the corporate regulator from acting swiftly to deal with misconduct in the advice space.
August 26, 2026
How AI use is reshaping financial advice consumption
ASIC’s 2026-27 Corporate Plan and new research by McCrindle touch on the consumer impact of AI-generated financial advice, reinforcing the expression “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Professional advisers are spending an increasing amount of time unwinding beliefs and misconceptions caused by AI and re-educating clients.
August 26, 2026
Beyond the numbers: Advice that makes the invisible visible
The benefits of good advice go far beyond money management, and this is reflected in the evolving role of advisers, according to new research by Russell Investments. Professional Planner, in partnership with Russell Investments, assembled leading advice professionals to discuss the less visible, more intangible aspects of advice, such as reassurance, peace of mind and confidence, and how to accurately price for these outcomes.
August 25, 2026
NCA backflip shows advice profession tarnished by Shield and First Guardian
The establishment of the government’s proposed new class of adviser is unlikely to top the policy wish list of many advisers and licensees, but the profession’s omission from the coming regime is telling.
August 24, 2026
New research highlights the need for financial advice in the workplace
Australians want their employers to step up on financial advice and education with the cost of not doing so already showing up in workplace mental health and performance. Demand for corporate super specialists is set to rise.
August 24, 2026
The future of licensing requires accountability and consumer choice
The FSC’s proposal to recalibrate the ASIC levy by significantly increasing the amount payable by AFSLs threatens to decrease competition and consumer choice for no improvement to licensee governance and consumer protection, writes Kon Costas.
August 21, 2026
