Industry Updates

Life insurance’s “paradigm shift” is accelerating

The known chronic illnesses that have historically prevented people from working have been replaced by subjective conditions like mental illness, creating a “paradigm shift” that is impacting the performance, sustainability and design of life insurance, particularly total and permanent disability cover.

WTL model proven, but tailwinds alone won’t create value: Cullen

WT Financial Group founder and managing director Keith Cullen said the licensee’s business model is now proven, and that it has built the “machinery” needed to convert well-documented industry tailwinds into shareholder value.

‘Next phase’ of Infocus growth kicks off with platforms appointment

Infocus founder and managing director Darren Steinhardt says an increasing focus on working with advisers and practices outside its own licence means it needs the senior executive capability – and access to capital – to support its growth plans.

‘Material uncertainty’ over Sequoia as a going concern

Sequoia Financial Group, the ASX-listed owner of the InterPrac financial advice licensee, has disclosed a material uncertainty over its ability to continue as a going concern as regulatory and legal actions engulf the licensee. Sequoia earlier flagged its intention to revive the sale of InterPrac as a precursor to trying once again to unwind a controversial deed of cross guarantee.

What Australian advisers can learn from their UK counterparts about AI and client relationships

A Netwealth report following a recent study tour of UK advice firms shows a promising industry where AI is complementary to human qualities such as empathy, curiosity and communication, rather than a replacement.

Budget and big super create tailwinds for advisers, licensees: Humphrey

The “structural tailwinds” of budget tax changes and big super’s focus on financial advice will help buoy financial advice and licensee businesses for years to come, says Count chief executive Hugh Humphrey. Both Count and fellow ASX-listed Centrepoint Alliance announced full-year results this week that reveal where they expect growth to come from.

UniSuper graduate program aims to train financial advisers through a full career path

The $175 billion profit-to-member super fund UniSuper has launched a pilot graduate program to train and employ new advisers, from the basics of the role all the way into professional financial planning.

FAAA’s Anderson to bid farewell with advocacy legacy assured

In November, Phil Anderson, the FAAA’s highly respected general manager of policy, advocacy and standards, will leave the association that he was instrumental in creating. Anderson departs with an enviable track record of advocating for advisers and their clients in the face of a deluge of regulatory reform and upheaval.

Financial advice ranks bottom in list of retirement confidence drivers

Vanguard research found financial advice is less crucial as a driver of retirement confidence, compared to factors like income security and being debt-free, but those with access to professional advice are likely to have a higher level of confidence about their retirement plans.

ASIC will be ‘easier to deal with, harder to avoid’: Chair

Sarah Court, the chair of ASIC, has “some sympathy” for the view that too much red tape is stymying business and productivity growth, but says that won’t stop the corporate regulator from acting swiftly to deal with misconduct in the advice space.

How AI use is reshaping financial advice consumption

ASIC’s 2026-27 Corporate Plan and new research by McCrindle touch on the consumer impact of AI-generated financial advice, reinforcing the expression “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Professional advisers are spending an increasing amount of time unwinding beliefs and misconceptions caused by AI and re-educating clients.

Beyond the numbers: Advice that makes the invisible visible

The benefits of good advice go far beyond money management, and this is reflected in the evolving role of advisers, according to new research by Russell Investments. Professional Planner, in partnership with Russell Investments, assembled leading advice professionals to discuss the less visible, more intangible aspects of advice, such as reassurance, peace of mind and confidence, and how to accurately price for these outcomes.

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