Future tech spend needs to strike balance between innovation and security
The introduction of new tech leads to an increased zeal to spend on services to improve efficiency and the client experience. But in a heightened security landscape, practices must find balance between allocating capital to innovative solutions or shoring up cyber protection.
April 30, 2025
How the traditional family office model is transitioning to outsourcing
Shifting away from the limitations of single-family offices, outsourced multi-family offices present a more cost-effective way for advisers to provide a broader range of services.
April 29, 2025
Stockbrokers reject proposed SOA reforms, calls for Code of Ethics changes
The Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association has labelled Tranche 2 of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes reforms as a “disappointing outcome from two years of regulatory review”. Underwhelmed by the replacement of SOAs, the association believes Standard 6 of the Code of Ethics will need to be removed to make the reform work.
April 29, 2025
Data integration ‘the major bugbear’ for practice efficiency
Streamlining the number of platforms or tech providers may seem a way to help mitigate inefficiency in the advice process, but using fewer vendors isn’t the panacea for firms as greater ease of access to data would allow for better client experience.
April 28, 2025
New federal government needs to act to cut red tape for financial advisers
The next federal government needs to act quickly to bring hope to the profession by cutting excessive red tape and compliance requirements, writes Financial Advice Association Australia chief executive Sarah Abood. Without this, advisers won’t be able to deliver affordable advice to millions of Australians.
April 28, 2025
Why PE investors are going downtown for deals
For many high-net-worth individuals, the family business represents a significant chunk of their wealth, and the wealth of friends and colleagues. They have seen, first-hand, the many potential benefits of private investment, contributing to the growing wholesale support for private equity, writes Claire Smith, head of business development, private markets, Schroders.
April 28, 2025
The frontrunners to replace Stephen Jones as Financial Services Minister
Whatever the outcome of the federal election, there will be a new minister overseeing the superannuation and financial services portfolio given the resignation of Stephen Jones from politics. With the financial advice reform project incomplete and a raft of contentious super policies afoot, the identity of the next minister will have major ramifications for industry.
April 24, 2025
Court hands down $11m penalty for conflicted SMSF property advice
The Federal Court has ordered an advice firm formerly known as Equiti Financial Services pay an $11 million penalty for conflicted and “cookie cutter” advice which gave bonuses to advisers who rolled over clients’ super into SMSFs to buy property through a related entity. The firm had its AFSL cancelled last year, following payments from the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.
April 24, 2025
