Lessons from the middle: Leadership, resilience and the courage of conviction
The principles of high-performance leadership – whether in business or sport – remain remarkably consistent and include the ability to maintain clarity, integrity, and conviction under immense pressure. Former Australian test cricketer Usman Khawaja told the Top1000funds.com Fiduciary Investors Symposium that the only time you really lose is when you stop trying.
March 31, 2026
InterPrac adviser banned for impersonating other advisers on SOAs
ASIC has banned InterPrac Financial Planning adviser Nicholas Hogan for four years for being involved in allegedly presenting Statements of Advice in the name of other advisers. The banning comes after a Professional Planner investigation cast a spotlight on Shield and First Guardian clients receiving fraudulently signed SOAs.
March 30, 2026
Sequoia delays dividend payment pending InterPrac sale
Sequoia Financial Group will delay the payment of a 10 cent per share dividend to shareholders while finalising the sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to little-known Conquest Investment Partners.
March 30, 2026
Institutional investors lash retail misuse of private credit
Investment leaders in private credit have dismissed concerns about the asset class, arguing the real issue is a mismatch between the features of the product and misapplication by non-institutional investors.
March 27, 2026
Beware AI ‘blast radius’ in financial advice: Tech veteran
John Wise, a top Silicon Valley investor who co-founded some of the major US wealth tech firms, has warned on the dangers of incorrect application of AI, noting the right skill and expertise are needed to make use of the emerging technology. The comments come as Wise's Communify inked a deal with the country's largest licensee owner, Entireti.
March 26, 2026
Court winds up Shield, First Guardian-linked advice practices
The Federal Court ordered that two of the advice firms at the forefront of the $1 billion Shield and First Guardian scandal, Venture Egg and United Financial Advice, will be wound up following an application by ASIC.
March 26, 2026
Advisers expect to get next CSLR bill in coming weeks
Advisers will soon be slugged with the bill for the FY26 Compensation Scheme of Last Resort special levy as well as the regular levy for FY27 simultaneously, as the profession waits for more details about the funding mechanism for future special levies.
March 25, 2026
InterPrac sale to Conquest ‘puzzling’: FAAA
The Financial Advice Association Australia is among those also surprised by the sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to Conquest Investment Partners, noting similar concerns to Shield and First Guardian investors about the future of client remediation.
March 25, 2026
‘Doesn’t add up’: InterPrac clients left anxious in sale aftermath
Shield and First Guardian investors that received advice via InterPrac Financial Planning are concerned about the future of remediation claims after its sale by ASX-listed owner Sequoia Financial Group. Such concerns include the motives of Conquest Investment Partners, which acquired the licensee, and whether the new company will avoid covering any liabilities by either launching more legal action or going into voluntary administration.
March 24, 2026
Morningstar recommends shareholders approve Insignia acquisition
Researcher Morningstar has recommended Insignia Financial shareholders approve the proposed acquisition by CC Capital Partners with a vote to come next month after APRA gave its tick of approval.
March 24, 2026
Changing conditions for commercial property
After a pretty challenging period for commercial property, there are signs that the cycle has turned, sending yield-hungry investors back into the sector in pursuit of regular income and the potential for capital growth.
March 24, 2026
Super switching paranoia drives misinformation campaign
The Super Members Council representing profit-to-member funds claims younger and lower-balance Australians are being transitioned by advisers to “risky” platforms and SMSFs, while the Financial Services Council has fired back with data suggesting it is mostly older, wealthier consumers being advised to switch their super. Aleks Vickovich writes the truth, as usual, is probably somewhere in between.
March 23, 2026
