KARREN VERGARA   The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Australians to review their life insurance cover and seek the help of a financial adviser.KARREN VERGARA   Vanguard has launched a financial advice offering in the UK that will charge a flat rate of 0.79%, a whopping three times less than what the industry charges on average.

ELIZABETH MCARTHUR   Latitude Financial has listed on the ASX on its third attempt with a market valuation of $2.7 billion, despite its past controversies.ANNABELLE DICKSON   Offshore investment in Australian commercial property kept the market afloat last year, according to Real Capital Analytics.

ANNABELLE DICKSON   The life insurance industry is developing a Professional Standards Framework for all claims and underwriting professionals, with support from the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF).KANIKA SOOD   New data from APRA and ASIC shows 81% of adviser-led TPD claims were admitted in 2020, down from 87% two years ago.

ANNABELLE DICKSON   The micro-investing platform is targeting SMSFs with its custom portfolio option, giving members more control over their portfolio allocations.ELIZA BAVIN   The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has warned SMSF trustees of a new scheme it has uncovered that aims to avoid paying potential tax liabilities.

BENJAMIN ONG   At the end of the day, US monetary and fiscal policies will remain not only accommodative but stimulative until they are convinced that recovery has become sustainable.BENJAMIN ONG   At the current price of US$9,415.00, copper's only 5.9% away from its decade peak; not a tall ask given current strong upward momentum and underlying fundamentals.

KARREN VERGARA   The federal government will fold the 2022 Life Insurance Framework Review into the Quality of Advice Review, taking over the responsibilities from ASIC.JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The federal government has released draft legislation outlining the function of ASIC's Financial Services and Credit Panel as the single disciplinary body for financial advisers.

KARREN VERGARA   The Guardians appointed a lead to oversee the New Zealand equities team and its external fund managers.ELIZABETH MCARTHUR   Koda Capital has appointed a new non-executive director.

ELIZABETH MCARTHUR   The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed what people who accessed their super early due to financial hardship caused by COVID-19 spent the money on.JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The $59 billion super fund has launched the responsible investment option Financial Standard revealed it was working on late last year, introducing one of the lowest cost SRI vehicles in the market.

ANNABELLE DICKSON   The platform has recorded a significant increase in funds under administration (FUA) as it integrates its recent acquisitions into the business.ANNABELLE DICKSON   The platform has recorded increased funds under administration (FUA) of $37.9 billion as it expands its presence in the UK with the opening of an office in Edinburgh, Scotland.

ELIZABETH MCARTHUR   The Lowy Family Group backed Assembly Funds Management has acquired six early learning centres in North West Sydney.ELIZABETH MCARTHUR   Family office Kin Group has moved to acquire consumer products and wellness company McPherson's via its subsidiary Gallin.