Centrepoint grows managed accounts, boosts cyber and AI investment
Centrepoint Alliance has seen a 40 per cent increase in FUM in its managed accounts business, and expects the momentum to continue as more and more advisers make the move away from implementing portfolios themselves. It’s also investing heavily in cybersecurity, but CEO John Shuttleworth tells Professional Planner no business is “bulletproof”.
August 26, 2025
Advisers split on who failed consumers in Shield, First Guardian collapse
As the collapse of Shield and First Guardian rattles the industry, advisers debate who should have done better due diligence and bear responsibility for putting the failed schemes in front of consumers, raising questions about whether platforms and licensees should have had more prominent gatekeeping roles.
August 25, 2025
Fitzpatricks looks for growth with ‘unique’ Entrepreneurs’ Organization partnership
Fitzpatricks Advice Partners has partnered with the Entrepreneurs' Organization as it looks to grow its connection with business owners and founders. Chief executive Andrew Fairweather tells Professional Planner that the deal might be just the start.
August 25, 2025
Intergen wealth transfer creates opportunities to tap younger advisers
A new generation of young advisers and fresh entrants offers a strong value proposition for practices wanting to capitalise on the intergenerational wealth transfer, where forming relationships with the next wave of clients and strengthening their financial literacy will be crucial.
August 22, 2025
The YFYS performance test undermines super’s fiduciary duty
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ confirmation that the government will likely tweak the annual super performance test is welcome. Just as red tape in financial advice needs to be wound back, so too should super funds be freed of this government intervention and enfranchised to make investment decisions.
August 22, 2025
Calls to fix Shield, First Guardian anti-hawking loophole
Consumer advocacy body Super Consumers Australia has called on the government to end the loophole in anti-hawking laws that helped lead generators drive thousands of consumers toward the failed Shield and First Guardian funds.
August 21, 2025
Life insurers must lift product, distribution game: ASIC
ASIC says it will take action in response to conduct of concern in the life insurance industry as it calls on insurers and distributors to improve their product, sales and complaints handling processes as they look to expand direct sales to consumers.
August 20, 2025
Is it time to currency hedge your portfolio?
For those not wishing to express a tactical view on currency, leaving a portion of your global equities exposure unhedged can lower portfolio volatility and drawdowns in periods of strong equity market drawdowns, writes Betashares investment strategist Tom Wickenden.
August 20, 2025
All eyes on income, as economic conditions change
Attention on income is set to intensify for all investors with further rate cuts expected in coming months, increasing the probability of the cash rate falling below 3 per cent at a time when dividend yields from Australian equities are sub-4 per cent for the first time in a long time.
August 20, 2025
Shield, First Guardian failed to get past HUB24 platform DD
One of the country’s fastest-growing platforms declined to host the Shield and First Guardian Master Funds after both products failed to pass due diligence screening. The revelation comes as several of its peers are under investigation by ASIC for the role they played in the oversight of the conflicted and high-risk investment schemes.
August 19, 2025
