Industry Updates

FAAA opposes ban on advice fee deductions from super switching

Financial Advice Association Australia CEO Sarah Abood has urged members to make their voices heard in consultations that include the CSLR, superannuation consumer protections, and lead generators. Abood said these reforms will shape the profession for years to come, and the association will oppose a proposed ban to fee deductions for advice related to super switching.

What I took away from the world’s ‘festival of private capital’

The on- and off-stage antics at the extravagant Milken Global Conference in Los Angeles tell us a lot about where institutional capital is right on the money – and where it is putting its head in the sand.

End ‘conveyor belt of consumer harm’ by unlicensed lead generators: Longo

In one of his final public appearances before departing the regulator at the end of the month, outgoing ASIC chair Joe Longo will call for the end of unlicenced communications about superannuation, including from lead generators.

Why the CEO of CFS created an AI clone of himself

Colonial First State group CEO Clive van Horen has turned to AI to create an agent “clone” of himself to help boost his own productivity as the emerging technology continues to reshape all levels of financial services organisations.

Looking beyond super for certainty in an uncertain environment

Ongoing changes to superannuation policy are shaping behaviours, not just sentiment. In response, a growing number of advisers are directing high-net-worth clients toward non-super assets and different investment structures to achieve greater rule certainty.

Why most financial advice scandals give a sense of Déjà vu

Most financial advice scandals are depressingly familiar, often following a similar playbook with predictable results, writes Simon Hoyle. While the players involved may change, the fundamental story doesn’t and it won’t be the last time it’s told.

Fintech looks to add 50 advisers in three years with private advisory launch

Wealth management fintech Openmarkets has revealed plans to expand into private wealth with the goal of adding 50 financial advisers to its AFSL in the next three years as it pivots to a B2B model in the aftermath of regulatory action that has been settled with ASIC.

Related-party responsible entities under scrutiny by upstart association

A new association will aim to bring in an industry-wide best practice code to lift governance standards of managed investment schemes, including ending related-party responsible entities. The Wholesale Investor Advocacy Australia group will be led by the head of an AFSL responsible manager group and a former Coalition financial services adviser who felt aggrieved by insufficient governance standards across the industry.

Why CGT changes won’t shift investor behaviour

The current debate about reducing the 50 per cent CGT discount assumes property investors are primarily motivated by tax savings. Financial adviser Sheshan Wickramage writes the assumption overlooks how real-world investment decisions are made, particularly among high-net-worth investors.

First Guardian liquidation continues to eat up recovered funds

First Guardian liquidators want to “temper expectations” over the return of funds to investors as the cost of the liquidation continues to grow with the amount recovered, leaving estimated net cash of $326,000 after expenses.

Sequoia scuttles InterPrac sale over complexity and uncertainty

Sequoia Financial Group has scrapped plans for the controversial sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to Conquest Investment Partners after both parties failed to satisfy all conditions necessary to complete the transaction.

JANA gets new CIO as Frontier plots OCIO land grab

Former Morningstar Investment Management APAC chief investment officer Matt Wacher will join JANA as its new CIO as rival asset consultant Frontier Advisors prepares to bring its own outsourced CIO solution, powered by the former State Super investment team, to market.

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