Industry Updates

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

‘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.

‘Data war’ a major roadblock to big productivity gains for advisers

A standoff between platforms and advice businesses over who controls client data is holding back productivity gains that could transform the economics of advice. The Professional Planner Licensee Summit heard that platforms are sitting on client data that isn't theirs to keep and the industry can't reach its productivity potential until it changes.

Shield and First Guardian AFCA complaints almost 3500 amid awareness drive

AFCA complaints about Shield and First Guardian have reached 3429 as ASIC has spent the past few weeks catching the attention of investors who are unaware they may have been invested in the schemes.

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.

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.

Shield, First Guardian growth was captured in APRA performance test data

Analysis of data collected by APRA for the annual superannuation performance test showed the prudential regulator could see the rapid growth of the Shield and First Guardian master funds. But the regulator defended inaction, saying it doesn’t have the capability to investigate any red flags.

Super funds hold the capital the world needs: NSW Treasurer

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says last year's Citi A50 summit is converting investor interest into firm approvals, as the state pushes data centre, renewable energy and electrification projects through a fast-track process and positions Sydney as a global financial centre.

Platform governance a regulatory blind spot, warns think-tank

Platform governance requirements are not well-defined by legislation or by APRA, creating ambiguity in the regulatory regime, The Conexus Institute has argued. The addition of more regulation may not help either, as that may drive clients to less-regulated parts of the market.

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