ASIC’s eye in the sky to monitor “bad apples”
The second phase of a risk-based surveillance operation and reference checking measures aimed at ensuring that “bad apple” advisers don’t move undetected between licensees are priorities for the regulator over the next 12 months.
July 26, 2012
“Paradoxical” Japan: bull or basket case?
Japan is tricky All too often during the past 20 years, foreign investors have been on the wrong side of the trade when it comes to Japan. Understanding Japan requires understanding not just the economics but the demographic, political and cultural factors at play
July 26, 2012
Capstone to target accountants in land grab
The Melbourne-based national financial planning group Capstone Financial Planning has signalled the beginning of an expansion drive with the appointment of a national network manager. Reporting to Capstone managing director Grant O’Riley, Jamie Johns has joined Capstone from Bendigo/Adelaide Bank, where she was senior manager of financial planning.
July 24, 2012
Knives drawn as timeshare gets FoFA carve out
The timeshare industry will be allowed to continue remunerating its employees through sales-based commissions after what the coalition described as a back down by government. The decision effectively carves out longstanding remuneration arrangements in the timeshare industry from the ban of commission-based payments included under the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms.
July 23, 2012
PM Capital, Zurich inspired by “outside zebra”
PM Capital’s latest gamble is a global-equity income fund inspired by similar ones in the US that adopt options and currency strategies to help reduce downside risk. The boutique manager has partnered with Zurich and the fund, described by Donohoe as a “halfway house” for investors skittish about global equity markets, will be branded as the Zurich Investments Global Equity Income Fund.
July 23, 2012
FPA to connect the pieces in new campaign
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) will for the first time highlight the value of a CFP qualification when promoting it's brand to consumers. The new message hopes to build on a successful six-week advertising campaign run in 2011.
July 19, 2012
Dumping mental baggage key to managing volatility
A recent Principal sponsored report, Market volatility: friend or foe?, identified a number of key themes, one of which is how investment managers can help their clients benefit from the current market volatility.
July 17, 2012
Licensees, boutiques put focus on IFA skill set
Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) must broaden their skill set, become more engaged with clients and concern themselves with advice rather than fees if they are to stand out from the crowd. Matthew Johnson, managing director and chief executive of investment-platform provider Wealthtrac, asked three licensees to reflect on IFA performance, managing the needs of clients and anticipated changes over the coming 12 months.
July 12, 2012
July 2012: Digital content
A guide to the Professional Planner July 2012 edition and useful links to authors and additional content.
July 09, 2012
Fee change: Elixir says you better get moving
The 2012 Elixir Consulting Pricing Advice report found the average engagement fee across respondents was $3241 – which puts into context research that purports to show the average fee clients are prepared to pay for initial advice is closer to $600 (earlier research put the figure at $300). The Elixir research found the average ongoing service fee was $3710 a year per client. Structure your fee process
July 09, 2012
“Cash alone is not a realistic solution”
Australia remains an attractive investment destination for investors around the world, most obviously as a result of the commodities boom The Australian Dollar is another recipient of international investors’ attraction to Australia, a mixed blessing.
July 09, 2012
