Shield, First Guardian enforcer Sarah Court to replace Joe Longo as ASIC chair
ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court, currently the corporate regulator’s top enforcer in the Shield and First Guardian scandal, will succeed outgoing chair Joe Longo. The appointment comes ahead of the Professional Planner Advice Policy Summit this month where she will provide an exclusive briefing on the collapse and discuss the regulator’s priorities in financial advice.
February 03, 2026
Trump Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh favours good governance and new ideas
Kevin Warsh’s strong views on economic governance, and his precocious nature, will hold him in good stead as he takes the reins of the US Federal Reserve at a time where concerns over cost of living, inflation and upward mobility are a test of President Trump’s second term. For investors his views on the conflating of monetary and fiscal policy are key considerations.
February 03, 2026
Risk specialists will thrive but more pain to come
Life insurance advice is set to become even more complex, with additional product changes and ongoing premium volatility coming down the line, requiring advisers to be very active with their client books or explore alternative options, writes Kris Mason, partner at MBS Insurance.
February 03, 2026
The rise of retirement advice specialists
Retirement advice specialists will stand apart from generalists in 2026 by demonstrating a superior understanding of modern retirement income strategies and solutions. The rise of specialists will also boost national retirement confidence and, importantly, spending, writes Ben Hillier, director of retirement at AMP.
February 03, 2026
SMSF Association calls for wholesale investor clarity in pre-budget submission
The SMSF Association has used a pre-budget submission to warn that legislative certainty on wholesale investor rules is “urgently needed” to ensure clarity around the provision of investment advice to SMSFs.
February 02, 2026
Updated advertising reg guidance doesn’t cover Shield, First Guardian lessons: SMC
Super Members Council has argued that ASIC should include more examples of “modern aggressive” advertising tactics – like those used to lure investors into Shield and First Guardian – in its updated guidance on financial services advertising.
January 30, 2026
‘Miss a deadline, pay a fee’: Secrets to improving client onboarding
Onboarding new clients is still a key friction point for advice practices as the collection of data and dealing with various compliance obligations slows down the advice process. But one advice firm has found it was able to halve its onboarding time by offering clients a few incentives.
January 29, 2026
Include lead generators in advertising guidance: FSC
The Financial Services Council has recommended ASIC should expand the definition of a “promoter” in its guidance on advertising financial products and services to include lead generators in the aftermath of the $1 billion Shield and First Guardian collapse.
January 29, 2026
We know about the widening advice gap, but beware the widening tech gap
Technology has the power to do the work of multiple people in less time with less hassle, yet many advice businesses struggle with the idea of investing in technologies like AI and automation. To overcome this mental hurdle, advisers need to view technology as digital employees.
January 28, 2026
