Financial Standard

Entireti launches consulting program for AFSLs

MATTHEW WAI   Entireti has launched a new program to support self-licensed firms to design and execute strategic initiatives, while improving performance and competitiveness.

Private credit bodies issue investor protection guidelines

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia's private credit industry has introduced new voluntary guidance aimed at strengthening lending practices, improving transparency and addressing regulatory concerns around investor protections.

Aegon AM gears up to take on local bond managers

MICHELLE BALTAZAR   Aegon Asset Management is close to launching its first Australian fund, months after the US$446 billion manager unveiled plans to enter the tightly contested local bond market.

Australian ETFs surpass annual inflow record

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia's exchange traded fund (ETF) industry has surpassed its previous full-year inflow record, with investor demand pushing assets under management (AUM) to a new high of $389.5 billion in October.

CALI recognises leadership potential

KARREN VERGARA   The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) is recognising up-and-coming leaders in the industry with the launch of the ReCALIbrate Women in Life Insurance Pathway.

Life insurers urged to act earlier on claims

VINNY VUCAGO   Life insurers are being urged to request information earlier and improve communication with customers to prevent avoidable delays in claims decisions, following an industry review that found repeated gaps in the handling of longer-running claims.

Longer lives challenge Australia's retirement model

VINNY VUCAGO   Australians could spend close to four decades in retirement, raising questions about how well the nation's retirement system accommodates longer lives and increasingly unpredictable exits from the workforce.

Retirement confidence lowest in a decade: Report

MATTHEW WAI   Just over a quarter of pre-retirees (28%) feel prepared approaching retirement, which has sunk to its lowest point in a decade as those with lower super balances take the biggest hit, an annual report highlighted.

PC targets business barriers to lift productivity

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia's economy has become increasingly stagnant, with declining business creation, closure and worker mobility contribute to the nations productivity challenges, according to new Productivity Commission (PC) interim report.

ASX capital raisings fall, derivatives activity climbs

VINNY VUCAGO   Capital raising activity on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) contracted sharply in October, while derivatives trading increased, reflecting divergent activity across the market.

More directors breach duties from Youpla Group

MATTHEW WAI   Three more former directors of Youpla Group have been found guilty of breaching their duties following similar determinations from the Federal Court against chief executive Bryn Jones and director Ronald Pattenden.

APRA warns financial system faces mounting risks

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia's financial system remains resilient, but rising global market pressures, artificial intelligence, AI-related vulnerabilities and growing interconnectedness could test institutions' capacity to withstand multiple shocks, according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Renato Mota takes on new board position

ELIZA BAVIN   Renato Mota has joined the board of a $14 billion super fund along with another financial services stalwart.

Australian Investment Council appoints private credit experts to board

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Australian Investment Council (AIC) is sharpening its board's private credit expertise and has appointed members from IFM Investors, Future Fund and Bain Capital, effective November 11.

NZ Super terminates internal active NZ equites mandate

MATTHEW WAI   Following the completion of a review of its investment management, NZ Super has decided to terminate its internally managed fundamental active equities mandate for New Zealand equities, while welcoming a new portfolio manager for alternative investments.

MLC Expand taps private equity owner's US network on AI

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   MLC Expand's new private equity owner is helping the platform leverage its US network to fast-track its AI capabilities, chief executive Liz McCarthy said.

AI moves beyond pilot phase for Aussie businesses: Deloitte

KARREN VERGARA   Australian organisations are making "real progress" in their artificial intelligence (AI) adoption as it shortens decision cycles, accelerates execution and drives workplace redesign, according to a study by Deloitte.

Human judgement remains key to AI advantage: GBAM

VINNY VUCAGO   Artificial intelligence (AI) is unlikely to provide asset managers with a lasting competitive edge on its own, with the Group of Boutique Asset Managers (GBAM) arguing its value will depend on personal judgment and expertise applied alongside the technology.

Australia's family offices surpass $323bn in assets

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Family offices in Australia have surpassed $323 billion in assets, according to data from Rainmaker Information.

Mining, property fuel Aussie billionaires' wealth

KARREN VERGARA   Australian billionaires' riches are highly concentrated in mining, financial services, technology and property, accounting for 0.7% of the total US$15.1 trillion in global wealth studied by the 2026 Billionaire Census.