Industry Updates

AMP Advice launches Estate Planning Service with fintech

AMP Advice has partnered with fintech Yodal to provide financial planning practices with access to Estate Planning Service. 

Tasmanian Retirement Benefit Fund names JANA as consultant

The Tasmanian Retirement Benefit Fund has appointed JANA as its investment consultant.  

SMSF advice on ASIC’s regulatory radar

A year after the release of the consolidated info sheet covering the standards for SMSF advice, ASIC will conduct a new review to test industry implementation. The review comes amid the ATO’s continued crackdown on illegal early release of super via SMSFs and a spike in disqualifications of SMSF trustees.

Iress wealth unit earnings slide after cash injection into Xplan

Financial services technology firm Iress has posted a 14 per cent decline in underlying earnings in its local wealth management division, which includes financial planning software Xplan and content platform Advisely, helping to contribute to a $137 million net loss for the group. But CEO Marcus Price says Iress’ future is not all doom and gloom.

SMSF Association chair re-elected

Brisbane law firm Cooper Grace Ward Partner Scott Hay-Bartlem has been re-appointed chair of the SMSF Association for another two-year term.

MSCI names former UBS executive as AUNZ head

MSCI has appointed former UBS executive Shane Edwards as its managing director and head of Australia and New Zealand client coverage.  

Little to separate HUB24 and Netwealth

The back and forth over leading platform ratings, an approximately equal market share and a domination of net inflows has created a competitive rivalry between HUB24 and Netwealth. The growth of the two mid-sized, independent providers continues despite anticipated pressures over profit margins and pricing.

Count’s wealth revenue up, but integration costs suppress margins

Costs associated with the Affinia acquisition have hit Count’s wealth segment revenue, with CEO Hugh Humphrey saying the company would prefer to cover the impact now. The results come amid confirmation of the Diverger transaction which will make it the third largest licensee owner.

Kaplan to offer three new designations

Industry education provider Kaplan Professional has partnered with the College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan US company, to offer three globally-recognised designations in Australia. 

LGT Crestone expands Adelaide presence

Wealth company LGT Crestone has appointed Ben Potter as partner, investment adviser to its Adelaide office.  

‘We do it everywhere else’: Education lifts standards

Whether higher education standards can lead to lower incidences of misconduct in a profession is frequently disputed, but the latest research paper from adviser and PhD student Ben Neilson concludes it is possible to legislate good behaviour in an industry by increasing standards.

Super policy high on reconciliation agenda post-referendum

Indigenous leader, author and activist Thomas Mayo said superannuation policy was a feature in a disinformation campaign against constitutional recognition at the referendum. Mayo urged the super sector to continue to listen to First Nations communities on retirement issues even without a formal Voice to Parliament.

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