Financial Standard

Ageing dynamics require holistic retirement planning: La Trobe Financial

MATTHEW WAI   As more Australians enter retirement, the phase increasingly resembles a "distinct" economic life cycle, making better retirement planning essential rather than just an opportunity for financial advisers.

Showcase: A sharp lens on global infrastructure

THE FINANCIAL STANDARD TEAM   Ask any financial adviser what they look for in a fund manager and they'll likely name three traits: proven expertise, product endurance and institutional edge.

Count takes 30% stake in Brisbane advice firm

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:23PM   Count has agreed to acquire a 30% stake in Brisbane-based accounting and financial advice firm Apiary Financial, continuing its push to expand its equity partnership network while reporting stronger first-quarter earnings.

Betashares launches ETF amid smart beta surge

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:20PM   Betashares has expanded its smart beta product suite, as the ETF issuer believes the domestic market, covering equities and fixed income, will pass $50 billion by the end of the year.

TPD claims drive insurance disputes

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia's life insurers continue to accept most claims, but total and permanent disability (TPD) and disability income insurance claims remain the main sources of disputes and delays, according to the latest data from APRA and ASIC.

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.

Guaranteed income gives retirees 'licence to spend': JPMAM

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Retirees with a higher share of guaranteed income spend 44% more, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) portfolio manager and head of target date strategies Daniel Oldroyd.

Rent stress threatens retirement security

VINNY VUCAGO   Declining home ownership is deepening Australia's housing divide, with lower-income households facing growing rental stress and potentially entering retirement with significantly less wealth, according to the Actuaries Institute.

Inflation hits 4.3%, RBA says it remains 'too high'

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Australia's inflation rose to 4.3% in the 12 months to September, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Global recession 'a very low probability': JPMAM

ELIZA BAVIN   Looking ahead to 2027, JPMAM believes the fixed income market is full of potential despite earlier concerns of a global recession.

Australia, UK partner to procure well-regulated financial markets

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:42PM   Following its inaugural meeting in September 2025, the second UK-Australia Joint Financial Regulatory Forum took place this week, with Australia remaining vocal about placing greater emphasis on governance and asset valuation of private markets.

ASIC proposes extending tax advice exemption for licensees

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   ASIC is proposing to keep a tax advice carve-out for licensees for another five years, allowing advisers and accountants to comment on the tax implications of financial products that fall outside their AFSL, provided they give clients a written warning.

State Super farewells investment strategy chief

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:39PM   State Super chief investment strategy officer will leave the post early next month after spending almost a decade at the public sector fund.

Australian Unity appoints deputy chair

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:33PM   Australian Unity has appointed a new deputy chair following a board member departure, as the ASX-listed firm continues to navigate the changing needs of an ageing population and retirement market.

AustralianSuper rolls out new investment data platform

VINNY VUCAGO   AustralianSuper has implemented a new investment data platform designed to improve portfolio oversight, risk management and decision-making as the superannuation fund expands its global operations.

The risks keeping APRA's new deputy chair up at night

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's (APRA) new deputy chair David Bradbury said the risks that keep him awake at night are those with the potential to threaten the financial stability of the super system or cause catastrophic losses for members.

Super funds lend voice to tokenisation

VINNY VUCAGO   AustralianSuper, Aware Super and Australian Retirement Trust are among the superannuation funds joining a new advisory group established by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and Digital Finance CRC (DFCRC) to help shape the development of tokenised in wholesale financial markets.

Digital assets on the right path: Industry

MATTHEW WAI   Digital asset providers have evaluated the October deadline and ASIC's consultation on the looming digital asset laws and determined that these developments mark a pivotal point on the sector's implementation journey.

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.