InterPrac advisers handed lifeline to move licensees
Sequoia Financial Group has given InterPrac Financial Planning advisers the option of a clean exit strategy after reaching a transition agreement with boutique licensee Avalon FS that would free them from the two-year PI insurance levy imposed on exiting authorised representatives, as ownership is set to transition to Conquest Investment Partners.
March 23, 2026
Private market product proliferation signals end is nigh
Private markets are in their late cycle stage, according to Zenith, pointing to the proliferation of products as evidence. More than 500 evergreen products are now in the Australian market, but the researcher retains a balanced view on the asset class, noting it is a strong portfolio diversifier when applied correctly.
March 20, 2026
Sequoia set to offload InterPrac for $50K
Sequoia Financial Group managing director Garry Crole says he intends to sell the troubled InterPrac Financial Planning for just $50,000 to an outfit called Conquest Investment Partners. The ASX-listed company, which has been embroiled in the Shield and First Guardian saga, entered into a trading halt on Friday.
March 20, 2026
Lack of advice expertise on super boards holding back retirement delivery
Super funds are lacking advice expertise on their boards and it’s one of the major factors that will keep them from fulfilling decumulation obligations, according to early findings from a research project from The Conexus Institute.
March 19, 2026
FAAA looks overseas to address chronic shortage of advisers
A Financial Advice Association Australia submission to Jobs and Skills Australia recommending “financial adviser” and “paraplanner” be added to the 2026 Occupation Shortage List would open up pathways to recruiting from overseas to fill a significant and growing shortfall in the number of advisers needed to meet the demand for advice from an aging population.
March 19, 2026
Sequoia looks to offload InterPrac after platform pushback
Sequoia Financial Group is looking at potential options including selling InterPrac Financial Planning, as it believes the platform backlists it faces have made running the licensee unviable. However, the ASX-listed owner of the under-fire licensee was unable to make clear the implications this could have for its future liabilities, including client remediation.
March 18, 2026
Advisers waste $66k a year doing their own admin
An adviser who spends just six hours a week on admin could be wasting $66,000 a year by not delegating these tasks to support staff, according to a report by Vital Business Partners. Furthermore, that time saved could be used to serve 35 to 40 more ongoing clients.
March 18, 2026
Govt commences next steps on long-awaited education reforms
Future financial advisers will only need to complete four core financial advice subjects and four “financial concept” subjects as part of a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualifications to fulfil the education standard, as the government commences the long-awaited consultation on the reform.
March 17, 2026
Geoff Lloyd to lead Perpetual wealth spin-off acquired by Bain
Former Perpetual CEO Geoff Lloyd will become executive chair of the storied fund manager's wealth arm after its $550 million acquisition by Bain Capital. Lloyd, who also chairs Professional Planner publisher Conexus Financial, says Bain will be a custodian and steward of the business, with work underway to make it financially viable as a standalone firm.
March 16, 2026
Conaghan dropped as shadow minister; replacement named
Pat Conaghan has been dumped as shadow Minister for Financial Services and will be replaced by party colleague Kevin Hogan in a shake-up of National Party representation in opposition leader Angus Taylor’s shadow ministry.
March 16, 2026
Narrow jaws essential in private credit
The private credit sector is enormous, with a large and growing market of borrowers to service and plenty of investor capital to deploy. But growth demands greater transparency and regulation to strengthen investor protections and ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
March 16, 2026
