What’s keeping executives up at night?
Reputational damage is the biggest concern of business executives in financial services and other industries followed by business model, economic trends and competition, according to a global survey by Deloitte. The results of the 2013 Deloitte/Forbes Insights Global Strategic Risk Survey vary significantly from three years ago, when reputational risk was ranked third behind brand
December 06, 2013
Assembling the dream team
Few employers take the time to seriously think about their dream employee and what they need to do to attract that calibre of person. Practice principals are so busy “doing” that they forget to spend time thinking about the key characteristics they want their staff to possess. One common mistake is to focus on qualifications
December 06, 2013
Aon Master Trust recognised for best YTD performance
The Aon Master Trust’s Balanced Growth – Active investment option has been ranked first by two independent research firms based on its one-year return. The option achieved a 19.0% net return, placing it at the top of the charts for both the Chant West survey and the SuperRatings SR50 rankings. In October, the 20.1% net return
December 06, 2013
AMP Flexible Super reaches $10 billion AUM
AMP’s award winning all-in-one super and retirement product, AMP Flexible Super, has notched up over $10 billion in assets under management (AUM), capping off a remarkable period of growth since its launch in 2010. AMP’s Director of Contemporary Wealth Management Patricia Montague said the $10 billion milestone was testament to the products flexible structure which
December 05, 2013
Global ETF and ETP assets reach US$2.4 trillion
The combination of US$17.0 billion in net inflows and positive market performance pushed assets in the global ETF/ETP industry to a new record high of US$2.4 trillion at the end of November, according to preliminary findings from ETFGI’s November 2013 Global ETF and ETP industry insights report. Net inflows into global ETFs/ETPs in November were
December 05, 2013
Asset allocation drives ETF growth
Asset allocation is driving the investment landscape for advisers and sophisticated investors. Rather than debating which Aussie bank to own, the focus is moving to which countries should be invested in and in what asset classes. Continued pressure on the Australian dollar, combined with recovering Asian and European markets, give investors opportunities to gain upside
December 05, 2013
ASIC to reveal shadow shopping report, FPA update
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is on track to release its latest shadow shopping report next year, with the regulator’s mystery shoppers focused on financial advisers who ‘churn’. According to the Financial Planning Association’s general manager of policy and conduct Dante de Gori, who recently met with ASIC and several life companies to discuss
December 05, 2013
NAB Wealth poaches ANZ executive
National Australia Bank has appointed head of ANZ Private Justin Greiner as the new chief executive of its stockbroking and financial advisory firm JBWere, following the departure of Paul Heath in June. Greiner (pictured) will join the bank in February, reporting to NAB Wealth executive general manager of Wealth Advice John Flavell. Greiner, whose previous
December 05, 2013
Advice opportunities go begging
Outdated and cumbersome advice software is preventing financial planners from delivering scalable advice in an efficient and profitable way, according to a new white paper, which states it should only take “minutes” to produce a limited statement of advice. The release of the white paper, which was written by Provisio Technologies and titled ‘Financial Advice
December 05, 2013
Australians overweight and unhealthy, AIA
Australians are among the least satisfied with their health in the Asia Pacific region with 62 per cent of Australians indicating that their health has declined in the last five years, according to a new report. The AIA Healthy Living Index surveyed 10,245 individuals throughout the Asia Pacific including over 600 interviews in Australia. It
December 05, 2013
Spotlight on the mis-selling of structured products
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has issued a stern warning to financial planners who recommend structured and capital protected products to consumers without fully understanding their personal circumstances. The regulator described the findings of its review into the provision of capital protected products to retail investors as “disappointing” with “many advisers” failing to meet
December 05, 2013
Advisers form new lobby group
A small group of financial planners and funds managers are forming a national association to promote the benefits of alternative investments and target return strategies to the government and other regulators. Principal at financial planning practice Reid McGill and director of consultancy firm Target Risk Funds, Philip Reid is spearheading the group, which has been
December 03, 2013
