Industry Updates

Australian Ethical CEO joins Australian Philanthropic Services board

Australian Philanthropic Services has appointed Australia Ethical CEO John McMurdo to its board of directors.  

Global advice themes a blast from the past for Australians

The EU is aiming to harmonise adviser qualifications across territories, while there is an ongoing battle over banning commissions. Meanwhile, The Netherlands is upheaving its pension system to an arrangement that sounds quite Australian. These are among the observations made by former Financial Planning Association CEO Dante De Gori who gave insights over how the rest of the world is tackling issues Australia has already addressed.

‘Renewable energy superpower’ dream could become reality, says environment minister

Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, has given a vote of confidence to Australia becoming a “renewable energy superpower” that can switch out the export of coal and gas to greener forms of energy as its economic foundation in the foreseeable future. With the backing of institutional capital and legislation such as the new Capacity Investment Scheme, the nation can compete on an international level, she told the Conexus Financial Political Series.

Frontier Advisors restructures research team

Frontier Advisors has restructured its research team, promoting a slew of internal talents.  

AMP settles BOLR for $100m but reactions mixed

AMP will settle its Buyer of Last Resort class action for $100 million, aiming to close the book on an unpleasant era for the embattled wealth giant. Within the class action camp, feelings are mixed with some happy to move on while others feel the settlement under delivers what they feel is owed.

BOLR over: Farewell to a scheme mired in the bad old days of advice

The settlement of the AMP Buyer of Last Resort class action on Thursday rules a line under one of the more archaic aspects of the Australian advice industry, and marks the end of a structure that simply became unfit for purpose.

ASIC gains court order for iExtend to apply for an AFSL

ASIC has accepted a court enforceable undertaking from iExtend after investigating concerns it was operating a financial services business without an Australian Financial Services Licence.

Mercer fined $12 million for fee disclosure failures

The Federal Court has ordered Mercer Financial Advice pay a $12 million penalty after being found to have failed in its fee disclosure obligations and charging fees to customers it was not entitled to charge.

MLC Life hires three in distribution team

MLC Life Insurance has made three appointments in its northern region retail distribution team.

ASFA names former HESTA executive Mary Delahunty as CEO

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia has appointed former HESTA executive Mary Delahunty as CEO.

Jones calls on licensees, product providers to embrace reforms

The Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has told the FAAA Congress that for advice reforms to succeed, licensees, PI insurers, product manufacturers and regulators all must be in unison on the changes, otherwise the industry will be stuck with the status quo of overly prescribing what is required by law.

Advice fee deductibility draft determination due ‘any day now’

The advice profession should have a better indication on which of its services will be tax deductible in future, with an updated draft determination due soon from the Australian Taxation Office, according to the Financial Advice Association.

Previous Next