FSC recommends lifting investor test threshold, grandfathering
Research released by the Financial Services Council has found that in less than a decade, almost a fifth of Australian households would be eligible to buy wholesale products without retail consumer protections, leaving them potentially vulnerable due to not properly understanding the associated financial risks.
February 13, 2024
REST ups impact and alternative allocations via agriculture fund
Retail workers industry fund REST has ramped up its impact and strategic alternatives allocations through an investment in the agriculture focused Cibus Fund II.
February 12, 2024
TAL unveils course program for its Risk Academy
Life insurer TAL has announced the 2024 course program for TAL Risk Academy, an education platform for financial advisers, professional year candidates, and support staff.
February 12, 2024
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.
February 12, 2024
‘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.
February 12, 2024
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.
February 12, 2024
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.
February 09, 2024
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.
February 09, 2024
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.
February 09, 2024
‘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.
February 08, 2024
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.
February 08, 2024
