Industry Updates

Will mobile browsing bypass your website?

Financial planners without mobile-ready websites could soon be missing out on a significant amount of online business. Website visitors are 51 per cent more likely to do business with an entity that has a mobile site;

Super satisfaction bounces back

Australians are more satisfied with their superannuation fund now than at any point since December 2008. According to the latest Mercer Superannuation Sentiment Index, increased member satisfaction, reduced levels of concern about share market volatility and more realistic expectations of future superannuation balances drove a nine-point increase in the overall “sentiment score”, between December 2010 and September 2011.

Video snapshot: Dealer Group Summit

Professional Planner Online asked presenters, panelists and delegates to reflect on another successful Professional Planner Dealer Group Summit and the issues discussed.

Government to revisit lending caps

The National Financial Services Federation (NFSF) says it is ready to work with the Government and other interested parties to formulate improved regulation of short-term lending. In its report, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services recommended that the Government revisit key aspects of its proposed reforms, including the proposed cap on small amount credit contracts, which the Committee says appears to be unworkable.

AMP dumps Mercer for Towers Watson

After eight years advising the $19 billion Future Directions and Responsible Investment Leaders multi-manager products, Mercer’s asset consulting agreement has not been renewed with AMP. Towers Watson will be the new consultant across the range of AMP’s multi-manager products.

PJC revises FoFA review timetable

The Parliamentary Joint Committee  (PJC) on Corporations and Financial Services has revised the timetable for its review of the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) legislation. Tranche One of the FoFA legislation - the Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011 - was referred to the PJC on October 13, and Tranche 2 - the Corporations Amendment (Further Future of Financial Advice Measures) Bill 2011 - was referred on November 24.

When an employee is not just an employee

DEFINITION OF AN EMPLOYEE If a person is defined as an em­ployee under the SGAA, the employer is required to pay SG on the employee’s behalf Under section 12 of the SGAA, the term “employee” is defined using the common law definition of an employee

Watchdog warning to gatekeepers

A Melbourne-based company has had its Australian financial services (AFS) licence cancelled by ASIC after it failed to meet its obligations. The action to cancel FPIP’s AFS licence is part of ASIC’s focus to improve the standards of gatekeepers, specifically the obligations of financial services licensees to monitor authorised representatives and ensure adequate compliance measures are in place to address licence obligations.

Centric puts faith in Wallaby legend

For years Phil Kearns was an integral part of the Australian rugby team, with his career bookended by World Cup successes in 1991 and 1999, but now a new challenge awaits the ex-Wallaby captain as chief executive of Centric Wealth.

FPA Conference: video wrap-up

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) National Conference 2011 tackled the big issues while also taking the time to acknowledge the next generation of financial planners. FPA chief executive Mark Rantall

Abbott won’t rescind 12% superannuation

Tony Abbott will not rescind 12 per cent compulsory superannuation if it is passed by parliament. Abbott spoke at a Financial Services Council breakfast in Sydney Craig Meller, managing director of AMP Financial Services, introduced Abbott at the the breakfast .,” says Abbott

ING targets platforms, SMSFs

ING Direct will ramp up its presence in the niche platform market and commit to the SMSF segment as it targets $5 billion in funds under advice by 2015.