Newspaper icon
The latest issue of Financial Standard now available as an e-newspaper
READ NOW

Editor's Choice

Local family office backs new venture to invest in climate tech

ANDREW MCKEAN
The family office of Daniel Besen has become an anchor investor in new venture capital firm Climate Tech Partners, investing in "innovative software and hardware companies" accelerating decarbonisation.

FSCP deregisters adviser for two years

KARREN VERGARA
A financial adviser who provided "incompetent" SMSF advice has been barred from practising in the industry for two years by the Financial Services and Credit Panel (FSCP).

SMSFs outperform APRA funds over five years: Research

MATTHEW WAI
New research shows that self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) outperformed APRA-regulated funds by 1.2 percentage points per annum in the five years to June 2023.

Global X launches Russell 2000 ETF

ANDREW MCKEAN
Global X ETFs has launched Australia's only exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking the Russell 2000 Capped Index.

Financial Planning

FSCP deregisters adviser for two years

KARREN VERGARA   A financial adviser who provided "incompetent" SMSF advice has been barred from practising in the industry for two years by the Financial Services and Credit Panel (FSCP).

Government to scrap advisers' approved qualifications list

KARREN VERGARA   The federal government is backtracking on one key financial adviser education requirement by scrapping the list of approved qualifications and proposing to allow any bachelor's degree or higher.

Investment

Global X launches Russell 2000 ETF

ANDREW MCKEAN   Global X ETFs has launched Australia's only exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking the Russell 2000 Capped Index.

ETF industry passes $250bn mark

ELIZA BAVIN   The Australian ETF industry has started the year strong, surpassing $250 billion in funds under management.

Insurance

Treasury consults on genetic test ban in life insurance

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The industry can now provide feedback on the proposed ban on the use of adverse genetic test results in life insurance.

Resolution Life completes NZ$410m life business transaction

MATTHEW WAI   Resolution Life's trans-Tasman life insurer, Resolution Life Australasia, has completed the acquisition of Asteron Life New Zealand.

SMSF

SMSFs outperform APRA funds over five years: Research

MATTHEW WAI   New research shows that self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) outperformed APRA-regulated funds by 1.2 percentage points per annum in the five years to June 2023.

Chalmers' claims on super tax are 'misleading': SMSFA

MATTHEW WAI   The SMSF Association (SMSFA) says Treasurer Jim Chalmers' claims that the $3 million superannuation tax followed extensive consultation are misleading, accusing the Treasurer of making several ambiguous statements in defence of the tax.

Economics

Trump tariffs to hit Australia

ANDREW MCKEAN   US President Donald Trump is set to announce 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, which will apply to all countries, including Australia.

Investment down as uncertainty rises

ELIZA BAVIN   Uncertainty around the future has hit the outlook for business investment, according to Deloitte Access Economics.

Regulatory

Finance workers worry about job displacement from AI, government urged to take action

KARREN VERGARA   Financial services employees worry their jobs are being increasingly upended by artificial intelligence, as an inquiry asks the government to urgently balance technological advancements and potential job displacements.

Jones flags drafting of Tranche 2 legislation

KARREN VERGARA   Assistant treasurer Stephen Jones said Tranche 2 of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) reforms remains a priority before he bows out of politics but fell short of confirming when the draft bill will see the light of day.

Executive Appointments

Lifespan Financial Planning names head of research

MATTHEW WAI   The new appointee will strengthen the firm's investment management capabilities and its commitment to better deliver financial solutions, Lifespan Financial Planning said.

MLC Life names chief risk officer

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Melissa Ammon is taking over as MLC Life Insurance's chief risk officer on a permanent basis.

Superannuation

Australians don't trust politicians with their super: FSC

ANDREW MCKEAN   Australians overwhelmingly distrust the government on superannuation taxes and are wary of placing their confidence in the opposition, according to a new nationwide poll.

Cbus faces fresh investigation over fund expenditure practices

ANDREW MCKEAN   Cbus is under investigation by APRA for possible breaches of superannuation legislation, with the regulator announcing the probe alongside a court-enforceable undertaking to address the super fund's risk management and oversight of key fund services.

Technology

AustralianSuper welcomes AI tech competition

ELIZA BAVIN   As a major investor in Nvidia, AustralianSuper has welcomed the emergence of DeepSeek, despite wiping $1 trillion off the chip maker's market cap.

mFunds sparked ASX outage, $1m credit issued

KARREN VERGARA   The ASX said the outage from last month largely stemmed from the now-defunct mFunds and will subsequently credit participants $1 million to make amends.

Family Office

Local family office backs new venture to invest in climate tech

ANDREW MCKEAN   The family office of Daniel Besen has become an anchor investor in new venture capital firm Climate Tech Partners, investing in "innovative software and hardware companies" accelerating decarbonisation.

Binance Labs becomes a family office

KARREN VERGARA   Binance Labs has transformed into a family office known as YZi Labs in a bid to expand its investment focus and step away from blockchain-focused investments.