Financial Standard

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.

Many advised Aussies feel financially worse off: Report

MATTHEW WAI   A new report reflects that despite being advised, almost four in 10 Australians (37%) found themselves in a worse financial position than a year before.

Yarra Capital acquired by Canadian asset manager

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Canadian asset manager RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) has acquired Australian active fund manager Yarra Capital Management, which specialises in fixed income, equities and alternatives.

ETF Shares launches data centre ETF

VINNY VUCAGO   ETF Shares has listed a new exchange traded fund (ETF) dedicated to data centre infrastructure, giving investors exposure to companies supporting the physical expansion of artificial intelligence (AI).

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.

TPD claims drive insurance disputes

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia's life insurers continue to accept most claims, but total and permanent disability (TPD) and disability income insurance claims remain the main sources of disputes and delays, according to the latest data from APRA and ASIC.

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.

Women more likely to retire earlier than planned: Vanguard

VINNY VUCAGO   Australian women are more likely than men to leave the workforce earlier than anticipated, with new Vanguard research highlighting persistent gaps in retirement confidence and financial preparedness.

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.

Private credit under fire again, widespread failings persist

KARREN VERGARA   Private credit funds continue to lag in improving poor disclosure, distribution and conflict-management practices since ASIC handed down its scathing inaugural report into the opaque sector 12 months ago.

ASIC halts two private credit funds over PDS, Bathla disclosure concerns

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The corporate regulator has halted the sales of two funds by Angas Securities over concerns on the product disclosure statements not adequately disclosing the firm's financial position and one fund's exposure to the Bathla Group.

Advent strengthens local investment partnerships with new hire

MATTHEW WAI   Global private equity investor Advent has expanded its local reach, with the chief executive of one of its portfolio companies joining as operating partner.

Future Fund names new chief

ELIZA BAVIN   The Future Fund has named the successor to Raphael Arndt who is set to depart after close to 20 years with the fund and six years as chief executive.

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.

Australian Ethical ups fees across most super options

KARREN VERGARA   Australian Ethical has increased fees across most of its superannuation investment options shortly after decreasing them earlier in the year.

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.