Institutional investors lash retail misuse of private credit
Investment leaders in private credit have dismissed concerns about the asset class, arguing the real issue is a mismatch between the features of the product and misapplication by non-institutional investors.
March 27, 2026
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.
March 26, 2026
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.
March 26, 2026
Advisers expect to get next CSLR bill in coming weeks
Advisers will soon be slugged with the bill for the FY26 Compensation Scheme of Last Resort special levy as well as the regular levy for FY27 simultaneously, as the profession waits for more details about the funding mechanism for future special levies.
March 25, 2026
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.
March 25, 2026
‘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.
March 24, 2026
Morningstar recommends shareholders approve Insignia acquisition
Researcher Morningstar has recommended Insignia Financial shareholders approve the proposed acquisition by CC Capital Partners with a vote to come next month after APRA gave its tick of approval.
March 24, 2026
Changing conditions for commercial property
After a pretty challenging period for commercial property, there are signs that the cycle has turned, sending yield-hungry investors back into the sector in pursuit of regular income and the potential for capital growth.
March 24, 2026
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.
March 23, 2026
InterPrac advisers handed lifeline to move licensees
Sequoia Financial Group has given InterPrac Financial Planning advisers the option of a clean exit strategy after reaching a transition agreement with boutique licensee Avalon FS that would free them from the two-year PI insurance levy imposed on exiting authorised representatives, as ownership is set to transition to Conquest Investment Partners.
March 23, 2026
Private market product proliferation signals end is nigh
Private markets are in their late cycle stage, according to Zenith, pointing to the proliferation of products as evidence. More than 500 evergreen products are now in the Australian market, but the researcher retains a balanced view on the asset class, noting it is a strong portfolio diversifier when applied correctly.
March 20, 2026
Sequoia set to offload InterPrac for $50K
Sequoia Financial Group managing director Garry Crole says he intends to sell the troubled InterPrac Financial Planning for just $50,000 to an outfit called Conquest Investment Partners. The ASX-listed company, which has been embroiled in the Shield and First Guardian saga, entered into a trading halt on Friday.
March 20, 2026
