Financial Standard

ASIC stalls Sequoia bid to ditch cross guarantee deed

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:21PM   ASIC is again putting up roadblocks to Sequoia Financial Group's attempt to revoke the deed of cross guarantee with InterPrac Financial Planning, asking more questions and requesting more information before the group rids itself of all liabilities arising from the Shield and First Guardian disaster.

Praemium's new leadership toughens earnings yardstick

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Praemium's new leadership will be keeping a close eye on costs, with new chief executive Denis Orrock noting he will make sure the technology upgrade underway translates into stronger earnings and better returns for shareholders.

Showcase: A technical advantage

THE FINANCIAL STANDARD TEAM  |    4:18PM   Flexible choices can drive higher retirement balances.

Robeco pitches Enhanced Indexing strategy to instos

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:18PM   Robeco has launched a new systematic strategy for institutional investors, designed to manage the Australian index's overconcentration in banks and miners.

TPD claims drive insurance disputes

VINNY VUCAGO  |    11:49AM   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.

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.

MSCI proposes taking away Indonesia's EM status

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   MSCI is proposing to reclassify the MSCI Indonesia Indexes from Emerging Market to Standalone Market status.

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.

ASIC bans 14th adviser from MWL

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:00PM   ASIC has banned yet another former financial adviser from MWL Financial Services, bringing its total adviser bans - according to public records - to 14.

ASIC consults on new digital asset laws

MATTHEW WAI   ASIC is seeking industry feedback on its draft guidance for the upcoming laws around digital assets and operators in the broader digital economy.

MLC Super creates two new general manager roles

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    12:24PM   MLC Super has created two new roles of general manager of portfolio delivery and general manager of employer superannuation.

Euroz Hartleys names chief executive

MATTHEW WAI   Euroz Hartleys Group has named a new chief executive, commencing October 26.

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.

Advice firms lacking AI integration: Iress

VINNY VUCAGO   Artificial intelligence (AI) is delivering productivity gains across financial advice, but only 7% of practices have embedded the technology across most of their workflows, research from Iress has found.

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.

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.