Midwinter integrates with Suitebox – provide useres with virtual advice offering
As technology continues to change the way we consume in all industries, it is evident that the financial services sector is no exception – The way in which financial advice is delivered will be a part of this revolution. With this in mind, Midwinter Financial Services has today announced that it will integrate with SuiteBox
November 11, 2015
Uncertainty remains after government responds to LIF
The government’s final changes to the Life Insurance Framework address some concerns cited by risk advisers, but leave a number of questions unanswered. Last Friday’s announcement from Assistant Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer revised the responsibility period for a clawback of commissions from three years to two. It also confirmed other recommendations including broadened approved product lists
November 10, 2015
Zenith releases 2015 Multi Asset Sector review – challenging market conditions spurs innovation
Zenith has released the 2015 Multi Asset Sector review and the most noticeable message was that the sector participants have forewarned of more challenging market conditions ahead, with headwinds brought by a lower set of return expectations across a range of asset classes. In turn, many rated managers have suggested it will become increasingly difficult
November 10, 2015
Robo financial advice needs to become half man, half machine
‘Robo financial advice will replace human advisers’. This is the recurring marketing message amongst robo-advice startups and so far this disruptive marketing message is working well. In the US, Betterment reported that its assets tripled during the first 10 months to $3B,which is just astonishing and it shows there is a real appetite for passive
November 10, 2015
2015 Wheel Classic: 1100km and aiming for $100k
Riders in the 2015 Future2 Wheel Classic rolled out of Sydney on Tuesday morning on the first leg of an event that will ultimately see them arrive in Brisbane on November 18 on the opening evening of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) Professionals Congress. It’s a trek that will cover 1100km, from Sydney’s northern beaches,
November 10, 2015
Interview: Why boutique planning businesses punch above their weight
Few financial planners would deny they are in the midst of significant disruption across numerous fronts, including regulation and compliance, educational and professional standards, and technology. Developments in these areas are accompanied by heightened oversight from the federal government and the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). This affects the whole sector,
November 10, 2015
Aberdeen Ex-20 Australian Equities Fund highly recommended by Lonsec
Following a recent review, the Aberdeen Ex-20 Australian Equities Fund has been upgraded to “Highly Recommended” by Lonsec. In its review of the Fund, Lonsec highlighted Aberdeen’s disciplined research process, the strength of its solid and experienced investment team and the benefits of its collegiate decision making. Lonsec said it considers “fundamental, ‘bottom-up’ active research
November 09, 2015
BT Panorama expands managed portfolios menu
BT continues the rollout of its wealth operating system BT Panorama with the addition of four popular managers to the managed portfolio menu: Evans and Partners, UBS, Antares and Hyperion. “Increasing the managed portfolio offer was always part of our plans to ensure investors have access to a wide range of quality investment managers,” said
November 09, 2015
OpenMarkets offers access to IRESS trading software, expanding platform choice for clients
Australia’s independent and most advanced stockbroker, OpenMarkets, has joined the IRESS network, as part of its continued commitment to provide choice of trading front-ends for clients. This development will now allow clients of OpenMarkets to place trades via IRESS’ two flagship trading platforms and access a range of market data and multi-market order management services,
November 09, 2015
Financial advisers are heading back to university
UniSuper has grown its financial advice team by almost one-third over the last year and this expansion should continue over the medium-term, according to Jack McCartney, the fund’s executive manager of advice and employer relationships. As part of this expansion, it is placing more advisers in on-campus locations at a number of universities around Australia.
November 06, 2015
The financial advice industry needs more Jedis, but fewer mind tricks
Why are there seemingly constant enquiries into the advice industry? Why do policy makers feel the need for constant regulatory change? Despite these efforts to improve, why do Australians still fail to plan adequately for retirement? And why do we often make poor investment decisions? The answer to all these questions is simple – we need
November 06, 2015
The need for enhanced post-retirement support
The ageing of the population has long been touted as one of the key economic and social drivers affecting Australia over the long term. This demographic shift will be one of the major forces shaping the demand and delivery of financial advice. Advice processes, strategies and education supporting the accumulation phase of superannuation have been
November 06, 2015
