How to tackle aggressive insurance litigation
Lawyers who get involved in death and disablement claims tend to fall into two categories. The largest is where the lawyer advises their client well, ensures a rapid flow of documentation and only litigates from a position of knowledge after engaging with the underwriting process. Then there are the aggressive litigators who initiate legal proceedings
January 09, 2015
Australian ETF industry reaches $15 billion milestone – sector grows 50% YOY
The Australian ETF industry reached $15 billion by the end of 2014, growing a massive 50% when compared to data released in January of last year. Flows in December were also the largest on record, with 672 million flowing into the category, largely driven by interest in international-based ETFs. Despite ongoing fears about the stability
January 07, 2015
Finding a homegrown alternative to investment platforms
There is much talk about the impending demise of large bank-owned investment platforms. In recent years, at least one financial planning principal has put his thoughts on platforms into action and created a bespoke alternative. Ian Bailey, director and co-founder, Bailey Roberts Group, holds a firm belief that clients need direct access to their portfolio
January 07, 2015
More than 11,000 SMSF auditor contravention reports issued in 2013-14
As we all know, sometimes unexpected events occur, including contraventions of super law for self managed super funds (SMSFs). The secret is to be prepared and know who can help. Contraventions that have either been detected or reported to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) through an auditor contravention report (ACR), or which are likely to
January 07, 2015
Nominate a fund for the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards
Entries are now open for the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards which have evolved to embrace input from key industry stakeholders, whose experience and expertise will be integral to identifying the best funds across a number of categories – including Super Fund of the Year and Pension Fund of the Year. The aim of the awards
January 07, 2015
Retail and sophisticated investor divide crucial in post-Murray world
The distinction between retail and sophisticated investor will become even more crucial if the Federal Government adopts key recommendations of the Murray Inquiry, according to the head of Australia’s leading online sophisticated investor registry. Sophisticated Access founder, Peta Tilse, says the Financial System Inquiry’s blueprint for the next few decades focuses on the fair treatment
January 06, 2015
Chair of life insurance working group confirms submissions will be confidential
The independent chair of the Life Insurance Advice Working Group’s (LIAWG) report into life insurance, John Trowbridge, has confirmed that submissions will not be made public during the review period. Criticisms about a lack of consumer trust in the quality of life insurance advice were highlighted in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s review of
December 19, 2014
What did we read in 2014?
The Professional Planner Top 40
In 2014 Professional Planner published more than 1500 online articles, on issues and subjects that affect individual professional financial planners, financial planning businesses and the financial planning profession. That works out at an average of 30 articles every week for the 50 weeks a year in which we publish. We covered regulatory upheaval, the ongoing
December 19, 2014
Merry Christmas from Professional Planner – we will return in early 2015
Professional Planner is taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period. Our offices will be closed from COB on Friday, January 19, and will reopen on Monday January 5, 2015. We wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas, and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Best wishes, Simon Hoyle Glenn
December 19, 2014
Vanguard continues momentum in global ETF market
Vanguard reported today that it continued to see strong adoption in 2014 of its exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia, and elsewhere around the world. The firm reported global ETF cash flow of more than $75 billion at the end of November and total global ETF assets of more than
December 17, 2014
AFA-FSC statement on Trowbridge interim report
The interim Trowbridge Report released today has identified four key areas that need to be addressed by the life insurance and advice industries in response to ASIC’s Review of Retail Life Insurance and Advice report released on 9 October. These include: – the quality of advice – remuneration and other adviser incentives – insurer practices
December 17, 2014
Life insurance and advice industry to embrace change: Trowbridge Interim Report
John Trowbridge today released his interim report for the Life Insurance and Advice Working Group (LIAWG) established by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and the Financial Services Council (FSC). Mr Trowbridge, who is independent chairman of the LIAWG said: “The interim report thoroughly assesses ASIC’s Review of Retail Life Insurance and Advice report released
December 17, 2014
