Financial Standard

Wealth management has never looked better: Knox

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |    3:31PM   Appearing at the Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA) conference this week, Otivo chair Ian Knox discussed the shifting nature of Australia's wealth management industry, saying he's never seen it look so good - but it could still be better.

Alternatives spark 'real' opportunities for HNW advisers

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:32PM   There are an increasing number of high-net-worth (HNW) investors using alternative assets to diversify, protect against inflation and lessen returns related to the public markets, with Praemium saying advisers should look to capitalise from this trend.

Managed funds should be 'prepared to take less'

ELIZA BAVIN  |    4:24PM   Two experts have said managed funds would be a more popular investment if they "took a little less for themselves".

Stockbroking faces 'perception problem'

ELIZA BAVIN  |    4:17PM   Stockbrokers have been told they have a perception problem - and Google shows you why.

Zurich fined over false and misleading statements

MATTHEW WAI   Zurich Australia has paid two infringement notices issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over alleged false and misleading statements to two policyholders.

TPD claim settlements take 'considerably longer': Rainmaker

MATTHEW WAI   New group insurance research finds that total permanent disability (TPD) claims are taking much longer to process, while death claims appear to have more efficient processes in place.

Panic selling of SMSF assets 'totally unnecessary'

ELIZA BAVIN   SMSF Alliance principal David Busoli says concerns over the government's $3 million super tax are overblown.

Webull launches SMSF account offering

ANDREW MCKEAN   Webull Securities Australia has launched a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) account offering, targeting cost-conscious younger investors.

J.P. MAM slashes recession probability to 30%

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:43PM   J.P. Morgan Asset Management has slashed the probability of a recession eventuating in 2025 in half to 30% amid relief from the latest tariff announcements, but it warns risks remain elevated.

Productivity Commission identifies priority reform areas

ELIZA BAVIN   The Productivity Commission has identified 15 priority reforms areas to boost productivity and is seeking input to inform the draft recommendations in its interim reports.

AFCA looks to expand jurisdiction over receiving banks in scams

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:41PM   The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is opening public consultation on a string of governance changes, with a key focus on expanding its jurisdiction to include receiving banks in scam complaints.

Former Sydney adviser sentenced to three years

MATTHEW WAI   Former financial adviser David Mario Valvo, who doubled as a comedian, was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Zenith to farewell co-founder, managing director

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |    12:27PM   Zenith co-founder David Wright and managing director Jason Huddy will leave the firm, saying their ambitions for the business no longer match those of owner FE fundinfo.

Hearts & Minds chief exits

ELIZA BAVIN   Hearts & Minds chief executive Brett Jollie will leave the business after less than a year, as the board said the change will "streamline" its leadership structure.

Vanguard Super leads in organic growth: KPMG

ANDREW MCKEAN  |    12:49PM   Vanguard Super was the super fund with the highest organic growth rate in FY24, both in terms of assets under management (AUM) and membership, according to a KPMG report.

UniSuper lifts fund manager investment to $100m

ANDREW MCKEAN  |    12:46PM   UniSuper has increased its investment in venture fund manager Uniseed by $25 million, taking its total commitment to $100 million.

Criminal attacks, human error drive data breaches

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   There was 54 data breaches reported to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by financial services organisations in 2024.

AMP, intelliflo introduce dashboard enhancements for advisers

MATTHEW WAI   AMP and intelliflo have announced a suite of enhancements on their respective systems to offer better efficiency for advisers.

Bangarra Group awards real estate mandate

KARREN VERGARA   Family office Bangarra Group has appointed a real estate fund manager to help it build more than 3000 homes in the UK, of which one third will be dedicated to affordable housing.

Bill Gates to shutter Gates Foundation in 2045

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Bill Gates says he will give away all his wealth over the next two decades and close the Gates Foundation permanently in 2045 - many decades ahead of schedule.