Sorting contributions before super funds ‘shut the gate’ at EOFY
As the end of the financial year draws near, advisers are scrambling to lodge superannuation contributions before the super funds shut their gates. Clients are also concerned about the Division 296 tax and are discussing how to avoid it by transferring funds to other accounts or trusts to decrease their balance to under $3 million.
June 17, 2025
Name and shame AFCA determination wrongdoers: FAAA
The Financial Advice Association Australia has put its support behind new rules enabling the Australian Financial Complaints Authority to publicise the financial firms that fail to comply with AFCA determinations. The association believes greater publicity of those who fail to pay will allow other participants to see those entities that have contributed to the cost of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.
June 17, 2025
Centrepoint secures 90 pc of Brighter Super annual review book
Centrepoint Alliance and the $34 billion industry fund Brighter Super have concluded a $1.22 million deal that will see around 90 per cent of Brighter's annual review book move to Queensland-based Centrepoint practice Financial Advice Matters. The super fund will rely on FAM to service its members in a referral arrangement that will be reviewed in a year’s time.
June 16, 2025
Getting private credit right for retail investors
Private debt investing in Australia should have a future – there is a role for it in portfolios – but the market here is in its infancy, writes veteran investment commentator Wayne Fitzgibbon. Retail investors and their advisers need to be aware of what constitutes global best practice, because not all credit is created equal.
June 16, 2025
ASIC bans licensee tied to failed Shield, First Guardian master funds
The regulator has banned the licence of Financial Services Group Australia for failing to ensure its representatives gave advice in the clients’ best interest by distributing the Shield and First Guardian master funds. ASIC is also recommending clients pursue lodging a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
June 13, 2025
Dispersion of private credit manager skill a minefield for investors
Private credit has seen a proliferation of managers and product in the past few years, putting more pressure on professional investors in the wholesale and retail sectors to back the right horse. LGT Crestone Wealth Management chief investment officer Scott Haslem told the Fiduciary Investors Symposium there is an "immense amount" of dispersion in manager skill, further compounding this challenge.
June 12, 2025
‘Popularity doesn’t equal credibility’: ASIC joins global finfluencer crackdown
ASIC has issued warning notices to “finfluencers” it suspects are promoting financial products and providing financial advice to Australians while not holding a licence. It’s part of the corporate watchdog’s action against unlicensed financial advice and they’ve teamed up with regulators from the UK, Canada, Italy and the UAE to disrupt finfluencer activity.
June 12, 2025
Productivity fix needed to boost capacity to 200 clients per adviser
Over the past decade, the industry has been sapped of capacity, and it’s resulted in a reduction in the number of clients advisers are serving. Fixing this will require a technology-assisted advice future that enables businesses to manage more than 200 clients per adviser, but it requires stepped change.
June 11, 2025
ASIC scores win against unlicensed ‘pump-and-dump’ schemers
Four unlicensed investors charged for conspiracy to commit market rigging have all pleaded guilty in a win for the corporate regulator who included enforcement against unlicensed advice a regulatory priority. The four investors participated in a coordinated “pump-and-dump” scheme, where investors inflate share prices to sell them at a peak for profit.
June 11, 2025
The crucial role of strategic diversification in uncertain times
The US administration’s chaotic approach to policy setting has created a high degree of uncertainty in investment markets. Colonial First State believe that in these challenging environments it is important to have the flexibility to adjust asset allocation, either through dynamic asset allocation tilts or an out-of-cycle strategic asset allocation review.
June 11, 2025
Optimising portfolio construction for managed accounts
Optimising portfolio construction in today's dynamic investment climate demands a sophisticated approach, writes Colonial First State executive director managed accounts Frances Taylor. In an everchanging economic environment, navigating market inefficiency, having the right level of risk diversification, and finding unique investment opportunities to generate alpha is essential.
June 11, 2025
