Industry Updates

MyPlanner Australia chooses AdviserLogic

Licensee MyPlanner Australia has chosen AdviserLogic to provide technology solutions for its new planners and has also begun roll out of AdviserLogic solutions to its existing planners. AdviserLogic head of product development, Daniel Gara, said 50 MyPlanner Australia users have implemented AdviserLogic solutions since the decision to implement was made in September 2014. “We understand

Fund managers see opportunities from volatile markets

It will be a challenging year for investors, with heightened market volatility, central bank action and falling commodity prices creating a very different environment to that of 2014, according to Australian Unity Investment joint venture asset managers. However, these same issues will create good opportunities for those that are able to seize them, agree Australian

Decimal incorporates in US to pursue global opportunities

Decimal Software Limited (“DSX”) is pleased to announce that it has established a wholly owned subsidiary, Decimal Software (US) Inc. based in San Francisco in support of the strategy to pursue opportunities emerging in the US for the company. Additionally, Founder and Executive Director, Jan Kolbusz is located in the US leading the development of

Sugar-coated record low interest rate won’t fix Australia’s economic outlook

The Reserve Bank’s decision to follow in the footsteps of other central banks by cutting official interest rates to a record low 2.25 per cent is a short term sugar fix that runs counter to lifting business and consumer confidence required to fix Australia’s long term economic needs, says leading national accounting and wealth advisory

Succession planning is vital in retaining client loyalty

Taking a corporate approach to your financial planning practice by ensuring clients are at least aware of the other professionals inside your business is a crucial part of succession planning, according to a Business Health study. Some 63 per cent of clients surveyed stated they would not be comfortable dealing with anyone else from the

Shroud of silence around life insurance advice review continues

Only four life insurance industry stakeholders revealed they have lodged a submission with the Life Insurance Advice Working Group, out of the more than 100 that are said to have participated. Risk-focused financial planning practice Bombora Advice and insurance company Zurich told Professional Planner they have issued submissions. Neither has yet revealed the substance of

How time travel can help clients save for retirement

Do you recall in Back to the Future II when Marty and Doc contemplated what would happen if you encountered your future self? Famously, Doc envisaged two possibilities. One was that you would go into shock and pass out. The second was that “the encounter would create a time paradox, the result of which could

AMP Capital realigns infrastructure equity business to meet changing client needs

AMP Capital has announced changes to the Global Infrastructure Equity team to support the business’s next phase of growth, international expansion and the needs of an increasingly global client base. AMP Capital Global Head of Infrastructure Equity Boe Pahari said: “When it comes to strengthening AMP Capital’s international investment capability, the Infrastructure Equity business has

AIA Vitality provides health kick for grassroots football

Following a successful Asian Cup for the Socceroos and record football participation levels, AIA Australia is joining forces with Football Federation Australia to launch a new grassroots football initiative for kids. The introductory program, branded ‘AIA Vitality MiniRoos’, is a modified version of football that provides boys and girls aged 4 – 11 years with

AMP’s plan to clear out Genesys hits a snag as practices consider equity options

AMP’s equity ownership in several Genesys financial planning practices is proving to be a stumbling block to the financial services giant’s plan to migrate Genesys practices and advisers to alternative AMP-owned licensees. AMP announced in November last year that it had completed a strategic review of Genesys and planned to “rationalise the business and offer

Robo-advice: plenty of promise in the idea, but no threat to full-service advice

Online technology has been used to disrupt dozens of industries in recent times and there’s no shortage of companies willing to bet that financial advice is next in line. US-based automated investment adviser Wealthfront, which charges just 0.25 per cent on its portfolios, has quickly amassed more than $US1.5 billion in assets while Charles Schwab

AFA president pledges ‘more of the same resolve’ to tackle challenges of 2015

To paraphrase Abigail Adams – wife of the second president of the United States, John Adams, who frequently sought her advice – this is a time we would choose to live in, because it’s at times like this that true character can be demonstrated. The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has a unique culture. It

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