Financial Standard

ASIC 'scrutinising' Sequoia's second InterPrac fire sale

KARREN VERGARA   The corporate regulator says it is "closely scrutinising" Sequoia Financial Group's second attempt at a fire sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to a little-known private investor.

Treasury consults shifting tax debts from victims to abusers

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Treasury is consulting on extending the powers of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to strengthen its response to financial abuse.

Longwave brings small-cap strategy to ASX

VINNY VUCAGO   Longwave Capital Partners has launched an actively managed exchange traded fund on the ASX, giving investors listed access to its Australian small-cap strategy as the boutique targets opportunities beyond the large-cap market.

OKX Australia launches perps for pre-IPO opportunities

MATTHEW WAI   OKX Australia has launched a perpetual contract, also known as perps, to provide exposure of private companies before they undergo a potential initial public offering (IPO).

Genetic testing ban takes effect for life insurance

VINNY VUCAGO   Australians can access genetic testing without risking discrimination in life insurance under a new ban that took effect on October 8, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) also updating its rules to handle complaints involving adverse genetic test results.

Life CCC spots 10.6k breaches in FY26

MATTHEW WAI   The Life Code Compliance Committee has published its FY26 annual report, which saw over 10,600 breaches by insurers with close to 30,000 customers affected.

AMP Super launches new app

VINNY VUCAGO   AMP Super has launched a new app aimed at helping members better understand their retirement position, plan for the future and manage income.

AMP, CFS and Vision Super get the Epic Retirement Tick

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Three super funds, AMP Super, CFS FirstChoice and Vision Super, have joined the line-up of funds that have received the Epic Retirement Tick from Chant West and the Epic Retirement Institute.

RBA switches to 'decidedly hawkish' tone

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) switched to a "decisively hawkish" tone in the September Minutes, with a focus on the upside risks to inflation.

IMF sees inflation above RBA target through 2027

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Australia's inflation to ease to 3.1% in 2027 from 3.9% this year, leaving it outside the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) target range of 2% to 3%.

Stumping up

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   In closing the gaps exposed by the collapse of Shield and First Guardian, the government is putting trustees first in the firing line, requiring them to compensate members when due diligence failures put retirement savings at risk.

'Flawed' CSLR model needs to be redesigned: SMC

MATTHEW WAI   The latest proposal from the government to see super funds contribute to the CSLR would force everyday Australians to fund failures which arose in unrelated high-risk financial services, the Super Members Council warned in a submission to the consultation.

Abacus managing director confirms upcoming retirement

MATTHEW WAI   The managing director of Abacus Group (ASX: ABG) will be stepping down after an eight-year tenure.

LGT poaches Koda Capital's top-rated adviser

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   LGT Wealth Management has poached Koda Capital's 2025 top-rated adviser and partner Frank Macindoe.

CareSuper rejigs beneficiary nominations, investment options

KARREN VERGARA   CareSuper has introduced several changes to its investment options and beneficiary nominations.

Brighter Super expands indexed investment suite

MATTHEW WAI   Brighter Super has launched two new low-cost indexed share options, expanding its investment menus to meet adviser demand.

Finura brings AI engineering in house with merger

MATTHEW WAI   Finura Group has merged with a software engineering business to bring artificial intelligence agent technology and sovereign cloud services in house.

AI overtakes superfunds for investor education

VINNY VUCAGO   Artificial intelligence (AI) has overtaken superannuation funds as a source of investment information among younger, highly knowledgeable Australian investors, according to new research from Global X.

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.