Industry Updates

CALI life code response backs half of Kell’s recommendations 

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has released its formal response to 85 recommendations included in a review of the Life Insurance Code by former ASIC deputy chair Peter Kell. The peak life insurance body says it supports 47 of the recommendations fully or with some qualification and has set out a timetable for working through the rest.

APRA expects proposed reforms to hit platforms hardest 

APRA has proposed requiring super trustees to limit members' exposure to high-risk investment options as part of a package the regulator expects to have the greatest impact on platform trustees following the $1 billion collapse of Shield and First Guardian.

The adviser’s guide to investment megatrends

Professional Planner, in partnership with Global X, has put together a guide to help advisers discern between megatrends and short-term fads and learn more about the themes that are expected to drive growth in portfolios for many years to come.

‘Permanent capital’ behind Ironbark’s choice of Merchant in $256m deal

Merchant Wealth Partners’ $255.9 million investment in Ironbark Financial Group – its biggest investment in a wealth management business outside its US home market – underlines the rude health of the Australian financial advice sector. Ironbark executive chair Chris Larsen says the investment will power the local firm’s acquisition, technology and AI strategy.

What financial advisers need to consider when it comes to life expectancy

Financial advisers can play a critical role when it comes to improving clients’ understanding of life expectancy and what it means for their retirement, after an Actuaries Institute report found there is a gap between people’s life expectancy and their mortality.

ASIC’s ‘guide’ for advisers considering private credit funds

ASIC’s 10 principles for “private credit done well” provide a timely and useful roadmap for financial advisers considering whether exposure to the asset class is right for clients. In a speech last week, Commissioner Simone Constant flagged fee transparency, liquidity mismatches and complex underlying structures as being among the things to watch out for.

UN week lays bare the fragility of US exceptionalism 

Visiting the United States during a historic United Nations General Assembly and amid a fevered debate about regulating artificial intelligence provided a stark backdrop to a world of rising conflict and complexity, which AI could well just accelerate.

The investment utility that’s helping solve the retirement challenge

Managed accounts are being used in an increasing number of creative ways, including to build portable portfolios that meet the evolving needs and priorities of retirees.

Redesign the work, don’t just adopt the technology

A technology strategy shouldn’t start with the technology, and activity should not be confused with progress. Licensees in fear of being left behind by AI advances should think carefully before heading off on a strategy and before they start make sure they can provide clear answers to a few basic questions.

Australia moves up the rankings to sixth in global retirement index

Australia has improved in global retirement rankings and is now sixth, ahead of Germany, the UK and the US. However, Australians remain under-advised compared to their global counterparts.

Victims’ advocate: Investors could ‘end up with breadcrumbs’ in class action

A class action brought against Macquarie in its capacity as trustee of a platform that hosted the collapsed Shield master fund may take longer to settle and yield poorer results for investors than pursuing claims through AFCA and the CSLR, a leading victims’ advocate has warned. And investors attracted to the class action in the hope of being compensated twice will likely be disappointed.

AGS Financial expands into three new locations through acquisition

Adding to its six existing locations, AGS is now present in Picton and Sutherland in New South Wales and Parkdale in Melbourne through the acquisition of Hartley Financial and Tax & Wealth.

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