BT Financial Group releases tablets to planners
BT Financial Group has started one of the largest releases of tablets to bank financial planners – to deliver advice to clients anywhere and anytime. The release marks a revolution in the way advice is experienced and delivered. “We are committed to helping more Australians get advice and technology has an important role to play
March 13, 2014
Australian median house price growth up 5.7% for the December quarter
The latest edition of the Bendigo Bank / REIA Real Estate Market Facts Report reveals some interesting trends around Australia that should prove useful for people seeking suitable residential or investment properties across several price points – and it’s not just Australia’s East Coast capitals that are experiencing growth. Dennis Bice, Executive Retail, Bendigo and
March 12, 2014
Call for united front for associations to better represent financial planners
The principal and founder of a boutique funds management firm has called on associations that represent financial planners to form a united front that is focused on consumer outcomes and quality of advice. Andrew Fairweather, principal and founder of Winston Capital Partners, says the range of associations representing different segments of the financial planning industry
March 12, 2014
Service really matters when it comes to fees for service
If a client asks you how much you’re going to charge them next year, what is your answer? Probably it’s something like: “It depends”. It may depend on what services the client needs over the course of the year – but it might also depend on whether you charge a fee for service or you
March 12, 2014
Sign one of these without due care and attention, you’re certifiable
As the popularity of placing real property inside an SMSF grows, so too does the lenders’ choice to adopt the use of financial advice certificates. For those who have been asked to sign a financial advice certificate, it can be a source of stress and anxiety given the short amount of time to prepare these
March 12, 2014
Set the risk target first and then set portfolio – approach is gaining traction
Pengana Australian Equities Market Neutral Fund has returned 9.6% pa over past 5 years with zero correlation to the ASX 300. Pengana questions the portfolio construction approach of passive core/alpha producing satellites as it does not address the issue that the majority of the portfolio’s risk and return is dominated by equity markets i.e. beta.
March 11, 2014
Constructing property portfolios using REITs
Mark Ferguson, AMP Capital head of A-REITs, has written an insights report on constructing a property portfolio using A-REITs and G-REITs. In the paper, Mark looks at: – The benefits of A-REITs – What G-REITs have to offer investors – What’s next for G-REITs Constructing property portfolios using REITs
March 11, 2014
A date with Roger Federer: the key to winning business from the rich
Last month, I conducted client interviews with investors who have more than $US500 million in assets. I spoke to an Englishman – living in America and in the hotel business – about how he was choosing his service providers. At the time he had seven hotel projects on the go, mostly in China and America,
March 07, 2014
What are the accountants up to?
Regular readers may recall a series of columns in 2012 devoted to the accounting profession, including a discussion of the draft standard APES 230, Financial Planning Services, in light of the principles stated in the FPA Code of Ethics. Readers may not be aware of an interesting development in the accounting profession’s governance standards relating
March 07, 2014
BetaShares Australian ETF Review February 2014
The Australian exchange traded fund (ETF) market recommenced its growth path in February, reaching a new record high of $10.3 billion in funds under management, according to the BetaShares Australian ETF Review. Industry market capitalisation grew by 5% over the month, and around $235 million of new money flowed into exchange traded funds. Another positive
March 07, 2014
Zenith releases “Unconstrained” category ratings for 2014 International Fixed Interest Sector Review
Zenith has today announced the results of its “Unconstrained” peer group, constituting the final category to be released as part of Zenith’s 2014 International Fixed Interest Sector Review. The Unconstrained peer group is a new category that Zenith has created this year and constitutes the largest growth in new funds added to the Zenith Approved
March 07, 2014
Advisers and clients looking for global equities options
With growing interest in global equities from Australian investors, the Equity Trustees Dundas Global Equity Fund is now available for investment on the BT Wrap and Asgard platforms. The fund, which takes a long-only position in 60 to 70 companies with a minimum market cap of US$1 billion, is managed by Edinburgh-based Dundas Global Investors
March 06, 2014
