Financial Standard

WT Financial takes majority stake in TNT Advisor

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   WT Financial has acquired a 70% stake in paraplanning provider, TNT Advisor Solutions (TNT), for $2.4 million.

FEATURE | Managed accounts | Industrialising advice

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The growth in the managed accounts sector has brought scale and efficiency to advice. Rapid adoption is now reshaping the industry and drawing the regulator's attention.

Pengana takes WAM feud over PIA to Takeovers Panel

KARREN VERGARA   Pengana Capital Group is again attempting to thwart the Wilson Asset Management-led board's share buyback and increased ownership in the Pengana International Equities LIC (PIA), hoping the Takeovers Panel will intervene.

Federated Hermes partners with Conduit Digital

VINNY VUCAGO   Federated Hermes has entered a strategic alliance with Singapore based Conduit Digital Holdings to launch a regulated tokenised money market fund distribution structure across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, including Australia.

AIA Australia rolls out TPD CORE

KARREN VERGARA   AIA Australia has launched TPD CORE, a new retail product that charges lower premiums and provides clearer claim assessment criteria for total and permanent disability (TPD).

Insurer sanctioned for over 10k breaches

MATTHEW WAI   The Life Insurance Code Compliance Committee has sanctioned a life insurer after it reported more than 10,000 breaches of the Life Insurance Code of Practice in relation to failure to provide timely, completed annual notices.

Half of Australians lack retirement plan: Vanguard

KARREN VERGARA   Nearly half of working-age Australians approaching retirement do not have a retirement plan, raising concerns about long-term financial preparedness and confidence, according to Vanguard.

New platform provides guidance for retirees

MATTHEW WAI   A new artificial intelligence (AI) platform has launched to fill a gap that is persisting for retiring members seeking purpose in the retirement phase.

Australian economy growth 'stronger than expected'

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:52AM   The Australian economy grew 0.4% in the June quarter, growing 2.1% in the year to June 2026.

CEDA warns migration cuts will have economic spillover

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has warned while a dramatic cut in headline migration figures might be seductive, changes at scale will have a spillover in the economy including the labour market.

Mulino unveils Financial Innovation Strategy

ELIZA BAVIN  |    12:33PM   Treasury is encouraging regulators to consider opportunities to develop targeted sandboxes in priority areas such as AI enabled financial services and digital financial market infrastructure.

ASIC and APRA move to streamline FAR

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:09PM   ASIC and APRA have begun consultation on proposed changes to the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR), with the regulators estimating the reforms could reduce reporting requirements for all accountable entities and about 4500 accountable people.

Fidelity International appoints investment director

STAFF WRITER  |    2:09PM   A global and US equity strategies portfolio specialist from T. Rowe Price moves to Fidelity International to help grow the fund's fundamental equities franchise in Australia.

Ausbil bolsters Australian equities team

STAFF WRITER  |    2:06PM   Ausbil Investment Management has recruited a senior investment analyst from Bennelong to join its Australian equities team, and announced an internal promotion.

Sports no longer a sponsorship opportunity for super funds

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:12PM   ASFA head of research Ross Clare believes sports is becoming an important asset class for super funds, noting the dynamics in sports investment has transformed drastically over recent years, based on what he's observed at the ASFA Investment Summit 2026.

Superannuation assets inch to nearly $4.8tn

KARREN VERGARA   Total superannuation assets hit nearly $4.8 trillion in the last financial year, marking a 9% rise, namely driven by the rise of industry funds.

SS&C wins mandate from Aussie boutique fund manager

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:57AM   Fundamental Investment Management, a Sydney-based boutique investment management firm, has mandated SS&C Technologies for its inaugural Fundamental Smaller Companies Fund.

Actuaries Institute launches AI risk management guide

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Actuaries Institute and UTS Human Technology Institute (HTI) have partnered to launch a practical risk management guide to help financial services firms manage artificial intelligence (AI) risks.

Family businesses turn to external chief executives: Deloitte

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   While family members will largely remain at the helm of family businesses post-succession, a Deloitte Private report anticipates a meaningful shift globally, with more businesses preferring outside professionals to step into the chief executive roles.

MST Financial broadens services to Alder & Partners

KARREN VERGARA   MST Financial has broadened its services for Alder & Partners Private Wealth Management, providing "institutional-grade investments" across managed accounts, asset allocation and research.