Limiting choices – why less is more for clients and advisers
A recent survey of several hundred advisers and para-planners conducted by Behavioural Finance Australia in conjunction with one of the major institutions highlighted several opportunities for advisers to help clients make better decisions. One was by appropriately limiting the choices presented to clients. Choice offers a paradox – more choice seems attractive, but when it
May 25, 2015
What a difference a word makes: Making sense of the best interests duty ‘catch-all’
What a difference a word makes. Consider for a moment the difference between the words “any” and “all”. The best interests duty of the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) laws – section 961B of the Corporations Act, or the so-called “safe harbour” steps (see below) – have caused considerable disquiet within the financial planning community,
May 25, 2015
Tougher pension rules a good move, say Aussies
Workers and pensioners have given a firm thumbs-up to the federal Budget’s tightening of the age pension, according to research commissioned by AustralianSuper. 78% of workers and 88% of retirees support the tightening of the age pension assets test, which makes it more difficult for wealthier pensioners to qualify, and increases payments to poorer pensioners.
May 24, 2015
‘We don’t need to be victims’: FPA chief’s call to action to combat bad press
The chief executive officer of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), Mark Rantall, has called on the financial planning community to take matters into their own hands to combat incessant negative publicity. In front of packed house of 500 FPA members yesterday on the Melbourne leg of the 33-date national roadshow, Rantall said the
May 22, 2015
Does the S&P/ASX 200 have the energy to make 6000 stick?
Remember just a few months ago when one big broking house was calling oil prices to fall to $20 while, at the same time, another was forecasting $200? There is nothing new in attention-seeking forecasts – it’s a bit like a girl wearing “killer” heels or a young man driving “that” sports car! Those of
May 22, 2015
Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards: Silk commits to more services and decreasing costs
Ian Silk, chief executive of AustralianSuper, attributed his fund’s success at the Conexus Financial Super Awards Evening to its ability to maximize the potential of its scale. His fund won three awards at the ceremony in Sydney; large fund of the year, default fund of the year and overall fund of the year. Speaking to
May 21, 2015
Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards: Christensen named CIO of the year
Success in current investment markets might mean choosing a strategy that only pays off in three years’ time, according to Jim Christensen, chief investment officer of Telstra Super. Christensen was speaking after collecting his award for chief investment officer of the year at the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards Evening. “No one has got simple answers,”
May 21, 2015
Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards: MTAA turnaround wins it medium-sized fund of the year
MTAA Super has gone from the point of collapse to winning best medium-sized super fund in a remarkable turnaround of fortunes. Both the fund’s chair, John Brumby, and its chief executive officer, Leeanne Turner (on the left in the picture), paid tribute to MTAA’s staff, management and board who had put in dedicated and sustained
May 21, 2015
Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards: AustralianSuper named Fund of the Year
The winners of the third annual Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards were announced last night in a ceremony at Ivy Ballroom in Sydney, with 300 guests in attendance. Awards were handed out across nine categories, with the night’s biggest award going to AustralianSuper for overall fund of the year. This night’s top fund was determined from
May 21, 2015
FEATURE In at the deep end: Barrett jumps into the financial planning profit pool
In about a year’s time, Paul Barrett’s Next Generation Advisory (NGA) could be an investor in as many as a dozen high-quality financial planning businesses. The restriction on NGA’s growth will be its physical capacity to complete transactions, not the scarcity of potential targets. Barrett will spend up to $100 million acquiring assets in the
May 20, 2015
We live in interesting times, but if only bonds were boring again
Government bonds are supposed to be boring. They are designed to provide a predictable income with less capital volatility than either the debt issued by companies or their shares. That is why the recent events have come as such a shock to investors. It’s been too exciting. Nowhere more so than in the usually staid
May 20, 2015
Colonial First State announces an alliance with Sanlam
Colonial First State today announced an alliance with the global financial services group, Sanlam, to distribute its innovative Managed Risk funds in Australia. Colonial First State General Manager Product & Investments, Peter Chun, said Sanlam’s expertise in managed risk solutions complements the broad range of investment styles available through Colonial First State’s platforms. “Sanlam’s Managed
May 18, 2015
