Balancing the separation of upfront and ongoing fees
How to communicate the cost of upfront and ongoing fees is the prerogative of the adviser, as some businesses opt to charge nothing until the client has committed to receiving advice and others prescribe an onboarding fee at the first meeting.
May 07, 2025
FAAA pushes back on intrafund advice expansion in DBFO
The Financial Advice Association Australia has further pushed back on the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes draft legislation, arguing retirement advice is too complex to be collectively charged and has referred to the new class of adviser as the “new class of provider”.
May 07, 2025
Licensee spend on compliance in decline: Research
Licensees are cutting back on their spending with planned expenditure on internal and external compliance support decreasing, according to the 2025 Compliance Trends Survey by law firm Holley Nethercote. Despite the reduced spend, the report found breach reporting and cybersecurity were among the top compliance concerns.
May 06, 2025
Bigger isn’t necessarily better for AI models
HUB24’s Innovation Lab has been experimenting with smaller AI models as they are easier to keep track of, allow for more transparency and have a lower energy consumption. The platform provider’s AI strategy also includes forming partnerships and fostering academic collaboration to advance innovation.
May 06, 2025
Reaping the potential benefits of commercial real estate debt
It is possible to earn income from commercial real estate without buying a stake in property, writes Metrics Credit Partners managing partner Andrew Lockhart.
May 06, 2025
Debt versus equity to unlock commercial property returns
Population growth, low unemployment and a demand and supply imbalance are behind the improving outlook for commercial property in Australia. Investors seeking exposure to the sector should consider both debt and equity financing, according to Metrics’ Andrew Lockhart.
May 06, 2025
Associations call for ‘rapidly finalising’ advice reforms
Following Labor's win in the federal election on the weekend, associations have called for the rapid movement of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms. However, any changes to the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort remain uncertain until Labor names a successor to Stephen Jones as the industry awaits the outcome of Treasury’s review into the scheme.
May 05, 2025
Different journeys to profitable growth
Private wealth advisory LGT Crestone, investment platform Netwealth and collaborative capital partner firm Merchant are all very different businesses but share a number of things that have contributed to their success. On a panel at the recent BlackRock Wealth Symposium, the groups’ leaders provided insights into the drivers of profitable growth.
May 05, 2025
‘It’s complicated’: DBFO path uncertain amid Labor landslide
Labor will return to power with an expanded mandate and presence in the federal Parliament, but there are questions over its commitment to financial advice reform, following the resignation of Stephen Jones at the election. Meanwhile, the advice profession has lost key allies Luke Howarth and Bert van Manen as part of the Coalition rout in Queensland.
May 05, 2025
Albanese victory dials down the ‘super wars’ – for now
The emphatic return of the Albanese Labor government to power should provide comfort to the superannuation sector, especially profit-to-member funds that had become a key target of the now depleted Dutton opposition. But they would be wise to avoid any complacency over the repudiation of right-wing populist approaches to super.
May 05, 2025
Super preservation is becoming a populist pariah
Calls for a more flexible superannuation system are emerging as a mainstay of Australia’s populist Right, with minor parties doubling down on the Coalition’s push for super to be opened up to first home buyers. It’s a sign the ‘super wars’ are taking on a Trumpian hue with implications far beyond Saturday’s election.
May 01, 2025
The Advisers Association concludes Levy’s intent ‘lost in translation’
The Advisers Association has said the draft legislation for Tranche 2 of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms has been “lost in translation” from the original intent set out by Michelle Levy and the government. The submission included concerns about the inclusion of retirement products in intra-fund advice.
May 01, 2025
