Licensees need to be ‘front and centre’ on data
As debate over who “owns” client data rages on, licensees should be entitled to controlling platform data as they are ultimately responsible for governance of advice by network operators, the Professional Planner Licensee Summit heard.
June 16, 2026
The five traits GDG’s Rob Coombe uses to pick leaders
Generation Development Group executive chair and financial services veteran Rob Coombe says there are five predictors he relies on to determine the potential success of an executive. It’s those traits that have helped him to mentor over 40 protégés that have gone on to be CEOs.
June 15, 2026
Tax changes will make property disproportionally popular with SMSFs: FAAA
CGT changes proposed in this year’s budget could lead to more high-pressure sales tactics that push people into SMSFs, according to the Financial Advice Association Australia. While the association welcomes superannuation being exempted from any changes, it could mean property in SMSFs becomes disproportionately attractive.
June 15, 2026
How a disappearing adviser exposed vulnerabilities in the governance chain
On the face of it, she looked like the model adviser. She was respected by her peers, her advice was good, she regularly won awards, and her clients loved her. Then she started pre-charging clients fees for service, took the money, spent it, and disappeared. That disappearance was ultimately how Count found her.
June 12, 2026
‘CRMs probably die a slow death’: Netwealth CEO
Netwealth chief executive Matt Heine believes CRMs will “die a slow death” as their place in the advice process becomes redundant. But the head of the fast-growing platform is aware that licensees are eyeing tech capabilities and the potential control that can be regained over the advice process by being the proprietors of those services.
June 12, 2026
Advisers are satisfied with licensees… except in one area
Advisers are satisfied with their licensee in all but one area: helping business growth, according to annual research from CoreData. That factor may be the difference that motivates self-licensed practices to join larger networks as the data shows that the impact of those responsibilities is leading to sleepless nights.
June 11, 2026
‘The money always wins’: Access to capital a defining test for licensee growth
Whatever model a licensee operates, the ability to fund growth now turns on access to capital. The Professional Planner Licensee Summit heard how four different businesses set out how, and from where, they will get the capital they need.
June 11, 2026
Balance of power shifting back to licensees
Under Australian law, financial advice licensees are recognised as powerful intermediaries between the distribution of financial products and household wealth. Now, licensees are starting to enjoy economic conditions commensurate with that heightened liability.
June 09, 2026
CALI calls for insurer lead generation carve-out
The Council of Australian Life Insurers has called for a carve-out from any regulatory restrictions on lead generation, arguing the potential for damage isn’t as significant as in investment advice and that adding restrictions would prevent Australians from using market comparison sites to change insurance coverage.
June 09, 2026
