Exclusive To all professional financial planners: step forward and be counted
The chairman of the Financial Planning Association, Matthew Rowe, says the profession has reached a tipping point. It is time to stop talking about change, and to do what is required to make the change happen. Four years and four ministers later, Australia’s financial planning profession remains burdened by the deadweight politics of FoFA. The
May 21, 2014
Why the next 30 days could completely redefine your future
The next month or so will be critical for the future of financial planning, for the development of financial planning as a profession in Australia and, by extension, for the interests of all Australians. As various interest groups prowl the corridors of Canberra, presenting their respective cases and lobbying lawmakers and bureaucrats, no less than
May 21, 2014
Going direct: Do you have what it takes?
Around 27 per cent of new inflows are now invested in listed equities and property, up from 19 per cent in 2012, according to a new report by Investment Trends. Advisers expect that number will hit 33 per cent by 2017. While advisers are comfortable using managed funds for exposure to international equities and alternative
May 21, 2014
All the winners to be revealed in super fund awards tonight
The wait is almost over, as the superannuation industry prepares to gather to recognise its best and brightest at the Chant West|Conexus Financial 2014 Super Fund Awards Evening tonight in Sydney. With the winning fund to be announced by the Prime Minister Tony Abbott, this awards evening is the premier event for recognising excellence in
May 21, 2014
Australian adviser client satisfaction highest in Asia: Legg Mason
Satisfaction rates among Australian adviser clients are the highest in Asia and second highest in all major global markets, according to recent Legg Mason research. Among those who use an adviser currently, client satisfaction was extremely high relative to the rest of the world. A solid 40% of respondents indicated they were entirely satisfied with
May 20, 2014
Practice owners continue to base business sale price expectations on bygone years
The price expectations of financial advisers are no different to those of any vendor that is about to sell a prize asset (whether it be the family home, car or business) said Connect Financial Service Brokers (Connect) CEO Paul Tynan. They see the value through their own eyes and in doing so, are creating a
May 19, 2014
YBR receives acceptances for 100 per cent of Vow Financial
Further to the announcement by Yellow Brick Road Holdings Limited (ASX: YBR) (“YBR”) on 6 May 2014, YBR is pleased to announce that it has now received irrevocable acceptances from all 24 shareholders in Vow Financial Holdings Pty Limited (“Vow”) of YBR’s offers to acquire 100 per cent of their shares (“Offers”). Due to the
May 19, 2014
In-house asset management capability further developed
Lance Pupelis has joined Equity Trustees Limited in the newly created role of head of cash and fixed income. He will be responsible for overseeing the development of an in-house capability in these categories to help ensure the smooth transition of existing investment mandates and portfolios from ANZ Trustees. The appointment follows the announcement in
May 19, 2014
Pauline Blight-Johnston appointed to FSC Board
AMP Group Executive Insurance and Superannuation, Pauline Blight-Johnston, has been appointed to the board of the Financial Services Council. “With more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Pauline brings a wealth of knowledge to the FSC Board,” FSC chairman, Greg Cooper said. Ms Blight-Johnston has held senior executive posts in life insurance,
May 19, 2014
IOOF sweeps up “last-standing quality” financial planning asset in SFG deal
The $670 million acquisition of Shadforth Financial Group (SFG) by IOOF could be one of the last major deals in the round of consolidation that has swept Australia’s financial planning sector in recent years. “SFW [SFG Australia] is the last-standing quality asset in the wealth market, in our view,” according to analysis from Morgan Stanley.
May 19, 2014
What’s going to happen? Funny you should ask me that…
I’m often asked what I think is going to happen. It’s part of my job. My preferred answer in these situations is to say that I don’t know and nor does anyone else because the future is unknowable. It is not really what people, especially investors, want to hear. They don’t want to hear it
May 19, 2014
Why it is time to put differences aside and work for the common good
So far, the FoFA reform process has taken nearly as long as the Second World War. Brad Fox says it’s time for industry players to put their differences aside and work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone. Throughout history there are countless events that exemplify the saying, “United we stand, divided we
May 19, 2014
