PictureWealth becomes mega-licensee with Capstone takeover
PictureWealth continues to evolve from its fintech heritage with the acquisition of Capstone Financial Planning, turning it into a licensee owner with scale. CEO Allan Maitland tells Professional Planner the group still has the desire for further M&A.
June 17, 2026
Only advice and product together can deliver retirement confidence
Neither advice nor product innovation alone will deliver the retirement income solutions the Retirement Income Covenant envisages. But delivered together at scale, they can give members the confidence and assurance they need to retire well, the Professional Planner Licensee Summit has heard.
June 17, 2026
Why advice is critical to delivering member outcomes in retirement
Dissatisfied superannuation fund members are voting with their feet in search of greater flexibility, control and better service. Member movement is high, based on research by The Conexus Institute, but it’s not sinister, despite how it is being framed by some corners. At the Professional Planner roundtable on superannuation, choice and the advice profession, produced in partnership with The Conexus Institute and sponsored by HUB24, advice leaders explored the complex fiduciary decision-making required for superannuation and retirement advice.
June 17, 2026
The 2026 federal budget is changing the focus of advice
Since the federal budget in May, advisers are receiving a record number of enquiries from clients asking about the best way to build and structure wealth for the long term, writes Generation Life’s John Laver.
June 16, 2026
Licensees need to be ‘front and centre’ on data
As debate over who “owns” client data rages on, licensees should be entitled to controlling platform data as they are ultimately responsible for governance of advice by network operators, the Professional Planner Licensee Summit heard.
June 16, 2026
The five traits GDG’s Rob Coombe uses to pick leaders
Generation Development Group executive chair and financial services veteran Rob Coombe says there are five predictors he relies on to determine the potential success of an executive. It’s those traits that have helped him to mentor over 40 protégés that have gone on to be CEOs.
June 15, 2026
Tax changes will make property disproportionally popular with SMSFs: FAAA
CGT changes proposed in this year’s budget could lead to more high-pressure sales tactics that push people into SMSFs, according to the Financial Advice Association Australia. While the association welcomes superannuation being exempted from any changes, it could mean property in SMSFs becomes disproportionately attractive.
June 15, 2026
How a disappearing adviser exposed vulnerabilities in the governance chain
On the face of it, she looked like the model adviser. She was respected by her peers, her advice was good, she regularly won awards, and her clients loved her. Then she started pre-charging clients fees for service, took the money, spent it, and disappeared. That disappearance was ultimately how Count found her.
June 12, 2026
