Super attacks a stark warning to review cybersecurity
Advice firms have the challenge of maintaining best in class cyber defences, without the budgets larger businesses have. But the recent super fund cyberattacks are a profound reminder for practices to regularly review their security measures to prevent a possible breach.
April 15, 2025
FAAA throws support behind Coalition’s advice courtship
The Financial Advice Association Australia has given its tick of approval to the Coalition’s pre-election policy announcement, as it seeks more information from Labor, the minor parties and independents on crucial policy positions before the election.
April 15, 2025
Five common myths about private debt
Private credit has come under significant scrutiny as the regulator ramps up oversight of the asset class. But Metrics Credit Partners writes there are several myths about the sector which continue to cloud understanding.
April 15, 2025
Not all private credit is created equal
The best private credit managers aren’t just good at originating and structuring deals, they’re good at managing loans to repayment. Sometimes that requires taking action to manage risks in enforcement including taking control of a company or exercising rights under security agreements.
April 15, 2025
Coalition pitches reversal of own policies to advisers
Decrying “regulatory changes from successive governments” the Coalition has announced it will create a deregulation taskforce for financial services. It’s part of an ambitious aim to reform advice and boost adviser numbers to 30,000, largely reversing unpopular laws implemented the last time it held government.
April 14, 2025
Referral relationships must be ‘based on trust’
Advisers must ensure their referral relationships are “based on trust”, rather than financially driven, as a poor referral could result in losing the initial client. CoreData Research found advisers lean most on their own professional relationships when they need to refer clients to services they can’t provide in-house.
April 14, 2025
Trump delivers a new golden era
As US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” rocked global share markets by unleashing sweeping tariffs on every trade partner, Betashares senior investment strategist Cameron Gleeson writes gold has continued to offer investors a safe haven.
April 14, 2025
ETFs are gaining popularity with SMSF crowd
SMSF trustees cite diversification benefits as a core factor driving up their allocation to ETFs but there are several other reasons including liquidity, low fees and ease of access.
April 14, 2025
Charting the course to professionalism
National advice firms and licensees are strongly positioned to work with advisers to develop charters that set out their mutual expectations and obligations and, in doing so, accelerate the industry’s journey to professionalism, writes Fitzpatricks Advice Partners general manager Jasia Fabig.
April 11, 2025
Digital advice providers pivot from super funds to advice practices
The past week has seen dual plays in the digital advice space with providers pivoting towards the financial planning market, having spent the past couple of years trying to court super funds.
April 11, 2025
Platforms made call to suspend Venture Egg adviser payments while ASIC investigates
Trustees of the platforms that held the Shield and First Guardian funds made the choice to suspend payment of adviser fees to Venture Egg rather than await a directive from the regulator. But Ferras Merhi, the director and principal adviser of the troubled firm, is still listed on the ASIC Financial Adviser Register with a potential banning order expected to take time to finalise, if it does commence.
April 10, 2025
ASIC consulting on plans to include licensee names in breach reporting data
The regulator is consulting on plans to publish two dashboards covering breach reporting and Internal Dispute Resolution data that includes the names of licensees. ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland believes publication of the data will encourage firms to “lift their game” as industry engagement from the previous three years has been unsatisfactory.
April 10, 2025
