Industry Updates

Offshoring: It’s time to take a different view

Using AI and technology is seen as innovative and improving business efficiency but offshoring is conversely viewed as unpatriotic, writes AZ NGA’s Paul Barrett. In a tight labour market where it’s hard to secure local talent, offshoring is advantageous and shouldn’t be viewed as a cost-cutting measure used to boost profit.

‘We rarely advertise’: Grove living off two decades of organic growth

By building a two-decade strong community presence in two Western Australian cities, Grove Securities has avoided the need to allocate resources to marketing or advertising, instead relying on organic growth.

Count acquires offshore service company Solutions Centric

Advice network Count has acquired Solutions Centric, an Australian company that provides offshore accounting, tax and SMSF services out of India. 

Trustees could learn from advice industry for tech adoption: Panel

The Investment Magazine Chair Forum has heard that super funds can look to the financial advice and wealth platforms space for clear examples of where tech strategies have been executed at a high level. Meanwhile, funds have been warned that they face a potential member ‘tragedy’ if they don’t get their technology strategy right.

Smaller, privately-owned licensees dominate in numbers but not advisers

Just over four out five Australian financial services licensees permitted to give personal advice to retail clients have fewer than 10 advisers, but despite their proliferation, these licensees still only account for about a quarter of the advisers on the ASIC Financial Adviser Register.

Jeremy Cooper joins Bennelong board

Former Challenger retirement income chair and lead of the eponymous Cooper Review under the Rudd government, Jeremy Cooper, has joined Bennelong Funds Management as non-executive director. 

Court rules Block Earner crypto product needs AFSL

Fintech company Block Earner has been found by the federal court to have engaged in unlicensed financial services conduct when offering its crypto-backed Earner product. 

‘Lot of wood to chop’: Hartley’s tough task turning Insignia around

Former Sunsuper and AMP Australia boss Scott Hartley has been named as Renato Mota’s successor as CEO of Insignia Financial. Widely considered the frontrunner for the job, industry figures say Hartley’s drive and tenacity give him a shot at success in what is possibly the wealth management industry’s most difficult job.

Another 13.8k advisers required to meet retirement needs: CoreData

A wave of wealth handed down from older generations will increase demand for advice. Australia doesn’t have enough advisers, those it has aren’t productive enough to meet that demand, and dealing with younger clients presents new challenges, but there are solutions.

Advisers are buying more ETFs, especially for younger clients: AUSIEX

More financial advisers are favouring low-cost ETFs, with nearly a third (31 per cent) of their buying volumes directed to ETFs in 2023, according to trading platform AUSIEX. 

Kiwi sovereign wealth fund closes in on NZ$70b mark

Kiwi sovereign wealth fund NZ Super is edging close to NZ$70 billion ($65 billion) in total assets, ending the calendar year with 16.03 per cent pre-tax return.  

J.P. Morgan launches adviser portal in Australia

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched its adviser portal in the Australian market.  

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