Actuaries pinpoint ‘guidance’ as key to retirement advice reform
The Actuaries Institute has urged the government to get on with the job of finishing its Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms and move on to the introduction of “guidance” as a bridge for super funds to use between fact- or information-based help and full-blown financial advice.
November 05, 2025
ASIC will review adviser distribution of private credit next year
ASIC will review the retail distribution of private credit funds through advised channels next year as it releases a new surveillance report covering managers including Metrics, La Trobe, Challenger, Qualitas and Ares. The report also highlighted the influence that ratings houses can have on a fund’s distribution and the importance of robust research governance.
November 05, 2025
Super funds must strike ‘balancing act’ on private markets
Super fund investments in private markets have helped members and the Australian economy, but they must keep working to balance their need for diversification and performance with any “heightened risk”, according to a long-awaited ASIC report into the sector.
November 05, 2025
What Navy Seals can teach advice businesses about preparing for digital disruption
Like so many industries, digital disruption is coming for wealth management and financial advice, but many businesses are choosing to wait and see rather than aggressively embrace technologies like AI and automation. To avoid falling behind, businesses should move forward and adopt a "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" approach like the Navy Seals, writes VBP’s Nathan Jacobsen.
November 03, 2025
Value for money ‘paramount’ for investors
Value for money reigns supreme for advisers, and moving clients out of underperforming high-cost products isn’t just a phenomenon in Australia, the latest Professional Planner Shape of Advice podcast heard. But aiming for a simple, low-cost portfolio still requires a rigorous governance process.
October 31, 2025
‘I haven’t ignored any warnings’: Mulino says about Shield, First Guardian
Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino has pushed back against criticism by his shadow counterpart that he ignored warnings about regulating managed investment schemes, in light of the collapse of the Shield and First Guardian master funds.
October 31, 2025
Equity Trustees says Shield, First Guardian fraudulently passed DD
Equity Trustees has conceded the Shield and First Guardian master funds passed its due diligence process, but insists it is also the victim of fraudulent conduct. The trustee will apply for government assistance to remediate victims of the failed schemes and Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino said on Thursday he will soon consider Netwealth's request.
October 30, 2025
InterPrac’s plea to the government is a sick joke
InterPrac Financial Planning has written to the government to pressure trustees to remediate clients caught up in the collapse of the Shield and First Guardian master funds. It might sound appealing on the surface, but it’s merely an attempt by the group to absolve itself of any responsibility when the advisers at the heart of the collapse conducted their business under the authority of the licensee.
October 29, 2025
Former FPA policy head and Viridian CEO elected to FAAA board
Former Financial Planning Association head of policy Ben Marshan and co-head of Viridian Glenn Calder are the two new directors elected by members to the Financial Advice Association Australia board.
October 29, 2025
Retirement planning starts when you start your first job
Aside from increased transparency, improved tax efficiency and the expertise of a professional investment manager managing their portfolio, there are several ways separately managed accounts can be extremely useful, writes AMP’s David Hutchison. This is particularly the case during the transition to retirement, when stumbling blocks may start to appear.
October 29, 2025
