Accountants, not advisers, selling up amidst struggles
There has been a reversal in M&A activity over the last six months according to brokers, with overburdened accountants now looking to sell or merge while advisers delay their exit and take advantage of the extra year before the FASEA exam cut-off date.
November 12, 2020
ASIC gets flexible with licensees
The regulator highlighted a number of concessions it made to licensees affected by the pandemic in 2020, and said it "performed strongly" against its service charter despite a higher regulatory workload.
November 11, 2020
Don’t confuse ESG with genuine sustainability
Investors tend to take a more holistic approach to ESG considerations than portfolio managers, Lonsec's Tony Adams says, so when the two discuss ESG they're often talking about two entirely different things.
November 11, 2020
Advice tech works, but only when it fits
'New and shiny’ tech will help advice practices become more efficient and grow, Netwealth’s Matt Heine believes, but the danger of building bloated, impractical tech stacks remains. Start with the clients’ needs, he says, and then look at how tech fits into your broader service offering.
November 10, 2020
Glenfield: Standards clarified in a ‘plain English’ second effort
A ‘very deliberate’ change in tone and a new format make the second version of the Code of Ethics’ guidance easier to understand, according to the FASEA CEO, who explains the major updates advisers need to be across and the authority’s plan for further releases.
November 09, 2020
Tiered offerings: The three-legged stool
While client segmentation is certainly prevalent in advice practices, there is surprisingly little written on how to differentiate tiers of service. And it’s easy to see why, says David Haintz.
November 06, 2020
NAB boasts strong capital position after MLC sale
NAB boss Ross McEwan was relatively sanguine about the bank's capital position after a significant capital raising in H1 and agreeing to offload MLC Wealth for $1.44 billion in August. "We're actually feeling pretty good about this year," the CEO said.
November 05, 2020
Advisers face ESG legal risk as REST case settles
There is an “increasing risk” of actionable claims against advisers who don’t account for financial risk due to ESG factors, according to Mills Oakley lawyer Mark Bland. FASEA’s Standard 6 was a red flag, but the recent case against REST super has solidified the concern for advisers and licensees.
November 04, 2020
Episode 3: Optimism for the lucky country: Australian equities as a source of growth
This session explores the challenges and opportunities posed by investing in domestic equities as Australia attempts to end lockdowns and resolve the coronavirus disruptions.
November 04, 2020
Episode 2: Finding growth after lockdowns: equities in a de-globalised world
This conversation explores the risks associated with high valuations and the potential strategies to source growth in a future of lower returns.
November 04, 2020
Episode 1: Resilience in uncertain times: private equity as a diversifier
Navigating investments in 2020 has been complicated in the face of sharp declines in GDP, volatility of listed equities and the low yields from traditional fixed income. Offering reduced correlation to listed assets, nimble governance and long-term management focus, this conversation considers how private equity might act as an attractive diversifier for wholesale investors.
November 04, 2020
Fundies ‘squeezed again’ in the jostle for margins
All parties in the value chain are under increasing pressure, which has more to do with taking cost out rather than margin, Praemium's Mat Walker describes in conversation with Professional Planner's Shape of Advice podcast series.
November 03, 2020
