Industry Updates

It’s time to end the tyranny of YFYS benchmarks

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ review of the Your Future Your Super performance test must dilute the influence of benchmarks on how super funds invest members’ money by shifting the focus to total portfolio returns, write The Conexus Institute's David Bell and Geoff Warren.

Banish the ‘fear of running out’ in retirement

FORO – the fear of running out – has never been based on evidence that retirees won’t have enough money to live off in retirement, writes AMP director for retirement Ben Hillier. Like many other fears, it’s removing the understanding and misconceptions about what retirement will look like and that’s where financial advisers will play a crucial role.

Smash bad thoughts to boost retirement confidence

A mindset that likens superannuation to a water tank with a tap installed at the top, as opposed to the base, is spreading among retirees and pre-retirees with potentially disastrous consequences.

Former ASIC Commissioner confident troubled Sequoia will make significant changes

Having been appointed to chair an oversight committee for the troubled Sequoia Financial Group, former ASIC Commissioner Danielle Press is confident that the changes that will be recommended will deliver meaningful changes in the wake of the First Guardian and Shield collapses.

Cbus Super updates death benefits process following criticism of systemic failings

Profit-to-member fund Cbus Super has announced it is “overhauling” its death benefits process to make it faster and more straight forward for the next of kin of members, after systemic failings were revealed last year.

FSC green paper claims need independent testing: Assured Support

A financial services legal compliance firm says that the claims made by the FSC in its licensing green paper should be verified by Treasury or ASIC and that consumers care more about “clarity and fairness” than business models.

Why engaging the next gen of HNWs early is good for clients and business

Engaging the next generation early is crucial for high-net-worth advisers as it not only helps older clients to maximise wealth and prepares their children to manage assets responsibly, but also ensures longer-term profitability for the advice practice, said leading private wealth practitioners.

First Guardian retained top rating months after ASIC intervention

Financial data and ratings house FE fundinfo quietly removed a leading “five crowns” rating from a First Guardian investment option five months after the Federal Court approved a freeze order and almost a year after the trustee suspended transactions. The rating was relied upon in at least one statement of advice recommending First Guardian to consumers.

CFS weighs AI ‘winners and losers’ in asset management

Colonial First State wants to know how its external managers are using AI as it becomes more and more ingrained both in the companies they invest in and how they invest in them.

Cyber insurance a ‘must have’ – but can’t be the first line of defence

Cyber insurance is vital for repairing the damage and meeting the costs of a cyberattack, but practices and licensees need to tighten up their digital controls and train staff better to protect against incidents.

SMSF Association calls for govt funding of CSLR

The SMSF Association has called for the government and other AFCA subsectors to “meet the shortfall” of Compensation Scheme of Last Resort claims, which will require a $47 million special levy. The association argues the inequitable design of the system means there is no reason other subsectors shouldn’t contribute.

Client satisfaction offers compounding returns for advisers

Client satisfaction offers a compounding return for advice practices, as levels rise the longer the relationship progresses. However, high satisfaction doesn’t automatically prevent clients from leaving and research presented to the Netwealth Accelerate Summit showed how advisers can create loyalty that lasts.

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