Risk advice stalwarts lament Integrity Life exit
Risk advice sector leaders Don Trapnell and Wayne Handley have praised Integrity Life CEO Sean McCormack’s efforts to bring more competition to the troubled retail life insurance market. They say the challenger insurer’s decision to stop writing new advised and corporate group business is regrettable but unsurprising amid a dire situation.
September 07, 2023
Ten forestry companies unite to address climate change
Ten major forestry companies – responsible for overseeing nearly 9 million hectares (22 million acres) of forests across 27 countries – have united as the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation.
September 07, 2023
Hybrid advice firm partners with OpenInvest
Hybrid advice business Life Sherpa has partnered with OpenInvest to launch a managed investment portfolio solution for lower balance accounts.
September 07, 2023
TAL launches Client Care Series
Life insurer TAL has launched the Risk Academy Client Care Series, designed to provide advisers with tools to support their clients’ mental health and well-being.
September 07, 2023
Uplift in self-licensed profit margins while others stagnate
More self-licensed practices are seeing a boost in profit margins, while other licensed firms have seen a decline over the year, according to data from Investment Trends. The results come amid an increase in upfront fees that has aided practices in taking on new clients.
September 06, 2023
Wounding a profession, experience pathway passes Parliament
Suffering a defeat almost two years in the works, the profession is left to live with the so-called experience pathway. Chris Dastoor writes that while it’s a positive opportunity for some advisers, it is a black mark on the profession in the eyes of the public.
September 06, 2023
BlackRock to launch US Treasury Bond ETF in Australia
BlackRock Australia is set to introduce the iShares U.S. Treasury Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (IUSG) later this month, with a fee of 15 basis points.
September 06, 2023
CFS announces “next generation” managed accounts exclusive to Edge
Colonial First State has announced the “next generation” of managed accounts to its new Edge platform, the CFS Edge Accelerate Series, which will be available later this year.
September 06, 2023
CALI launches grant program to female risk advisers
The Council of Australian Life Insurers has launched a program called the 'ReCALIbrate: A Chance For Women to Reshape Life Insurance' to help get more women into risk advice.
September 06, 2023
Cbus reshapes executive team
The $85 billion industry fund Cbus has made several executive appointments across its investment, strategy, transformation, and operations divisions.
September 06, 2023
‘Pandora’s Box’: Sequoia sees little upside to licensee M&A
As it closes the Libertas licensee business, listed group Sequoia Financial Group is reaping the rewards of buying equity in advice firms rather than by achieving scale through buying other licensees. However, the firm is looking for outright acquisitions in practices where the advisers can instead be employees of Sequoia.
September 05, 2023
‘Spirit of the law’: Profile divests managed funds business
Profile Financial Services has divested its two managed funds to WTW Australia. Despite receiving legal advice and approval from the corporate regulator, CEO Lena Ridley says having them owned by an independent entity is the right thing to do in the current regulatory environment.
September 05, 2023
