Saxo Bank’s investment outlook for 2014
Emerging Asia will become the world’s primary weak spot in 2014, according to online multi-asset trading and investment specialist Saxo Bank. Investment in that region has reached a staggering 43 per cent of GDP while growth has fallen to barely 6 per cent; the easy part of the growth cycle is long gone, and some
January 09, 2014
ETFs hit $10 billion milestone
ASX Group has announced that exchange-traded products (ETPs) have achieved the milestone of $10 billion in funds under management. ETPs have experienced strong growth, doubling funds under management from $4.9 billion in December 2011 to $10 billion today. This growth is attributed to an increased awareness of the product group by both retail and institutional investors
January 07, 2014
Has the industry shot itself in the foot?
To many people, FoFA was a revelation. Until then, it had not dawned on them that a financial planner didn’t have to place a client’s interests ahead of their own. The Future of Financial Advice reforms made it clear that clients’ interests would rank first, and by doing that the reforms created a new basis on
January 07, 2014
ANZ complete on M3 review
ANZ has completed a review of its its Millennium 3 dealer group and will improve the monitoring and supervision of its financial planners. The group has also promised to be more deserving of clients’ trust, after former Millennium 3 financial planner Melinda Scott pleaded guilty to seven fraud charges relating to $5.9 million in December.
January 07, 2014
Outlook for Japan in 2014
There is a new-found sense of confidence in Japan, however, there’s also enough scepticism among domestic institutions, economists and the media to suggest the Japan story is not overdone. Many investors remain on the side lines given the widely held belief that economic recovery will be thrown off track by April’s sales tax rise. With
January 07, 2014
On a training ride or on mission to win le Tour?
Even a non-cyclist can appreciate the magnitude of winning the Tour de France. A lot of work and dedication is required to reach the ultimate success in cycling. Team work is integral to success. During the Tour, there is no greater display of teamwork than in a team time trial, where nine riders complete the
January 07, 2014
How to keep and grow your client book – and steal clients from others
The latest adviser research from CoreData reveals that close to three in ten Australians who receive financial advice are contemplating leaving their adviser. This presents a dual opportunity for Australian advisers: first, to identify and keep those clients who may be in danger of leaving; and second, to promote themselves to dissatisfied clients of other
January 05, 2014
Merry Christmas from Professional Planner
The Professional Planner offices will be closed from December 18, 2013, until January 6, 2014. We wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas, and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Best wishes, Leng Yeow Simon Hoyle
December 18, 2013
Premium pricing for retirement advice
Millennium 3 advice practice Reed Financial has spent the last two years reinventing its business model and will start 2014 with a new name and a narrower focus on helping baby boomers transition to retirement both psychologically and financially. Advisers must become specialists in order to thrive, according to principal David Reed who believes generalist
December 18, 2013
In their own words: a review of 2013
From a self-confessed super nerd to a Marx Brothers movie; from bedding-down the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms to the birth of a financial planning profession; and from churning of life policies to running better businesses, Professional Planner kept readers’ fingers on the pulse of developments during 2013. This is how some of the
December 18, 2013
Advisers seek to actively trade ETFs
Vanguard’s recently launched ETF Trade and Execution Help Desk recorded a surge in financial planner inquiries in 2013, as a growing number of advisers seek to actively trade exchange traded funds. The service, which was launched locally in October 2012 but has been available in offshore markets for some time, received over 600 calls from
December 18, 2013
