Teams vying for honours in University Challenge showcase the future of financial planning
On Monday at AMP’s Circular Quay headquarters in Sydney, five teams of university students will compete in the final of the 2015 AMP University Challenge in an event that showcases the quality of future entrants to the financial planing profession. This year a total of 367 students registered for the challenge, and a total of
October 22, 2015
The real effect profit warnings have on client investment portfolios
Two profits warnings, two different triggers but one painful outcome – Burberry and Walmart saw their shares fall by more than 10 per cent in a single day recently. Actually, both companies have something else in common – far from presenting investors with a shocking new piece of information, both were merely confirming what they
October 22, 2015
Why the ATO’s new powers make SMSF compliance more important than ever
It was big news when the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) was granted the right to unilaterally impose monetary penalties for certain contraventions of superannuation laws. The ATO gained this power with effect from July 1, 2014. Before July 1, 2014, in order to have a monetary penalty imposed, the ATO had to apply to the
October 22, 2015
NAB becomes first major bank to commit to the ASX mFund service
National Australia Bank (NAB) and ASX have today announced that nabtrade, NAB Asset Management and NAB Asset Servicing (NAS) will join the ASX mFund Settlement Service. NAB is the first major bank to commit to the mFund service, launching by the end of the year. mFund is an electronic processing service that allows investors to
October 22, 2015
Saving retirement: Australia’s reverse mortgage providers industry forecast to reach $328 million by 2021
According to business information analysts at IBISWorld, the reverse mortgage providers industry, currently worth $252.2 million in revenue, is set to grow strongly over the next five years. Industry revenue is forecast to increase at an annualised 5.4% between 2016 and 2021, to reach $328.0 million as more homeowners look to unlock equity in their
October 22, 2015
XTBs (Exchange Traded Bond units) expand access with leading platforms
XTBs (Exchange Traded Bond units) are building strong momentum, with the new fixed income investment offering being added to two retail super offerings this month – HUB24 Super and Praemium Super SMA. XTBs are now available on a total of 19 leading platforms. XTBs have also been approved for distribution by more than 90 AFSL
October 21, 2015
Standard Life Investments highlights the impact of millennials on values based investing
Global investment manager, Standard Life Investments has issued a White Paper (attached) examining the rise of the millennials and their impact on values-based investing. It explores millennials’ potential impact on traditional financial management, as well as the many opportunities they create for the industry. The report highlights that millennials want to invest in companies that
October 21, 2015
Government sends clear message to financial planners: lift your game or you’re out
The federal government has endorsed proposals to raise the professional, ethical and education standards of financial planners, and will require planners to be degree-qualified, pass an exam, undertake continuing professional development, subscribe to a code of ethics, and undertake a professional year. The government will also effectively enshrine the terms “financial planner” and “financial adviser”
October 20, 2015
Financial planner suggests insurers are bullying clients and their advisers
In an unusual tactic, financial planner William Johns took his client’s life insurer to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) for an alleged breach of the Disability Discrimination Act — and won. A client who had taken a recreational drug around ten years earlier, but who had not used since then, was given an additional loading
October 20, 2015
Taking a partnership approach to life: AIA to base new initiatives on face-to-face feedback from advice partners
Over the past month through a series of forums across the major capital cities, AIA Australia has been engaging directly with advisers to hear what they are looking for from their life insurance partner in response to the Life Insurance Framework (LIF). The purpose of the forums was to meet with our advice partners across
October 20, 2015
Triple3 Volatility Advantage Fund wins Lonsec Innovation award 2015
The Triple3 Volatility Advantage Fund has been named the Lonsec Innovation Award Winner for 2015 at the 13th annual SuperRatings Fund of the Year Awards. The Lonsec Awards highlight and recognise excellence in the industry. To choose the winners Lonsec uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative measures to identify high achieving funds managers and
October 19, 2015
Folkestone Maxim A-REIT Securities Fund Awarded 4-Star Superior Rating from SQM Research
Folkestone Maxim is pleased to announce that the Folkestone Maxim A-REIT Securities Fund has been awarded a 4-Star – Superior Rating from SQM Research. According to SQM Research, the Fund was able “to outperform the peer group on a one-year, three-year, five-year basis to 30 June 2015 … and is the only Fund reviewed that
October 19, 2015
