Platforms to unleash greater monitoring of advisers and MISs
Platforms will be required to monitor licensee business models and “adverse media findings” of advisers in a new standard released by the Financial Services Council that also enhances monitoring of managed investment schemes. The changes have been applauded by Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino who says it’s positive to see industry self-regulation in the aftermath of the $1 billion Shield and First Guardian collapse.
April 16, 2026
Time to bring law to SMSF ‘wild west’: Hartley
More regulation is needed to address consumer harm arising from SMSFs and the Financial Accountability Regime should apply even to platforms that outsource their super trustee in order to close governance gaps, according to Insignia Financial CEO Scott Hartley.
April 15, 2026
Changing the focus, from ‘nest egg’ to ‘income for retirement’
Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino writes that superannuation fund members deserve a dignified retirement, consistent with the objective of super, and it is well past time to move the public conversation from super providing a lump sum to it being the source of ongoing and reliable income.
April 15, 2026
Testing the platform hype against the adviser’s reality
A properly implemented platform can significantly influence an adviser's operational efficiency, profitability and the number of clients they can serve. A new study will test that claim by measuring advice practice metrics against platform relationships to show which tools work best for which business models.
April 14, 2026
When scaling up is the right path for your practice
Smaller businesses aspire to scale up and corporatise, but corporatisation isn’t for everyone. AZ NGA chief operating officer Nathan Jacobsen writes for those looking to make the transition, it has the power to transform businesses, accelerate growth, and reward business owners.
April 14, 2026
Decade-long ban for adviser central to ASIC’s Shield, First Guardian investigation
ASIC has given a 10-year ban to Rhys Reilly, one of the advisers central to the investigation in the $1 billion Shield and First Guardian collapse. The regulator found Reilly accepted $100,000 in conflicted remuneration and that he failed to give advice in the best interests of clients.
April 13, 2026
Overwhelming majority of shareholders vote for Insignia sale
Shareholders have given the nod to CC Capital’s $3.3 billion acquisition of ASX-listed Insignia Financial, bringing the firm closer to de-listing pending court approval later this week.
April 13, 2026
Sequoia says InterPrac guarantee will remain in place after sale
Sequoia Financial Group has scrambled to reassure creditors and potential creditors of its troubled InterPrac Financial Planning licensee subsidiary that a deed of cross-guarantee of its liabilities will remain in place, even if it is sold to Conquest Investment Partners.
April 10, 2026
The world won’t wait for the investment committee
The institutions managing long-term savings might not be built to respond at the speed the world now moves. The gap between knowing and acting – which, ultimately, is where all risk lives – is one they can’t afford to keep open.
April 10, 2026
Sequoia admits misleading ASX on media engagement
Sequoia Financial Group has admitted inaccurately representing to the market that Professional Planner breached an agreement to embargo a report of the sale of InterPrac Financial Planning. In a letter to the publication’s editors, Sequoia managing director Garry Crole apologised and praised their editorial integrity.
April 09, 2026
ASIC bans Shield, First Guardian-linked adviser for false SOA attributions
The corporate regulator has permanently banned former Venture Egg adviser Aristotle Papapavlou for allegedly presenting Statements of Advice in his name, or in the names of other financial advisers, to clients that neither he nor the other financial advisers had ever met.
April 09, 2026
ASIC seeks court intervention into InterPrac sale
ASIC has commenced Federal Court proceedings seeking the appointment of a receiver to investigate a proposed sale of InterPrac Financial Planning over concerns the new owners would avoid paying mounting liabilities of the firm.
April 08, 2026
