SPAA flags broader role in SMSF sector, starting with a name change – updated
The SMSF Professionals Association of Australia (SPAA) is positioning itself to take a clearer role in promoting the self-managed super fund (SMSF) sector, starting with a change of name to the SMSF Association (SA). The move is designed to remove potential confusion about what the association does, and to cement its presence in the SMSF
February 11, 2015
Trowbridge report ignores the real problem with life insurance advice
The Life Insurance and Advice Working Group (LIAWG) doesn’t appear to be effectively tackling the issue of conflicted remuneration that dogs life insurance advice, according to Industry Super Australia (ISA). Simply ignoring the merits of fee-for-service life insurance compromises the overall self-regulatory approach endorsed by the LIAWG, says Robbie Campo, deputy chief executive of Industry
February 11, 2015
How the AFA plans to adapt to the coming realm of professionalism
We live in a society and an economy where competition is regarded as a good thing, improving the quality of goods and the standard of services. In the world of professional associations, it’s really no different. Witness the accounting profession, which is well served by multiple associations. If the recommendations of a Parliamentary Joint Committee
February 11, 2015
Tax-saving strategies for account-based pension clients
There are some quirky aspects of the application of the minimum drawdown and related tax rules for account-based pensions which have caused uncertainty, particularly for clients aged from 55 to 59 inclusive. However, recent Australian Taxation Office (ATO) statements appear to remove all but a few of the remaining mysteries. This article examines some interesting tax
February 11, 2015
Reporting season needs close attention
The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut official interest rates last week has fired up sharemarkets, but investors need to play close attention to the reporting season which is underway, said David Bryant, chief executive officer of Australian Unity Investments. “Markets are incredibly volatile at the moment – shares, currencies, oil
February 10, 2015
Guaranteed Products in Australia: A market ready for launch or dead on arrival?
As of December 2014, the value of assets in Australia’s superannuation system totalled $1.87 trillion1. With a population of just over 23 million, this incredible feat – a virtue of introducing compulsory superannuation in 1992, is the envy of many, resulting in accolades and compliments on the advanced state of Australia’s retirement savings industry. However,
February 10, 2015
Topdocs slashes SMSF set up time for Class Super users
Leading document provider Topdocs has released two new integrations with Class Super that will dramatically reduce the time it takes for users to set up their self managed super funds. Topdocs director Michael Spakman says the new integrations mean Class Super users won’t have to manually set up new Funds in Class if they order
February 10, 2015
New bond research company launches – “BondAdviser”
A new fixed income research company called BondAdviser was launched today with the aim of opening up the bond market to a broader range of investors by providing access to independent research and pricing data. Offered through a central online portal, BondAdviser covers all ASX-listed interest rate securities and a large range of over-the-counter (OTC)
February 09, 2015
HUB24 moves even further ahead in mobile platform functionality
The award winning* online interfaces offered by HUB24 have been refreshed to provide an even better experience for advisers and clients, and provide full functionality on most mobile devices. “Our InvestorHUB and AdviserHUB portals are now fully compatible and optimised across all popular mobile phones and tablets” says HUB24 CEO Andrew Alcock “We’ve made the
February 09, 2015
AMP Capital acquires Royal North Shore Hospital PPP
AMP Capital has reached financial close on a deal to acquire a 100 per cent interest in Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital and Community Health Services Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). AMP Capital will own the asset until October 2036. More than 70 per cent of the equity
February 09, 2015
Appetite for overseas assets reaches nine-month high
Nearly half (44%) of all investors believe they need more international assets in their investment portfolio, according to the Certitude Global Investment Intentions Index (CGIII). The CGIII, which collates the views of over 560 Australian actively engaged investors and measures their net demand for global investments, increased by 3% to a 9 month high this
February 09, 2015
Adelaide Bank teams up with FinancePath to better service busy property investors
Adelaide Bank is beginning 2015 with the announcement of a new mortgage management partnership with FinancePath. FinancePath is a Melbourne based mortgage manager specialising in residential and investment loan structuring, debt reduction and cash flow advice. FinancePath General Manager Chris Collard says “Our niche and our passion is guiding serious investors through the initial stages
February 09, 2015
