Financial Standard

Rating the rating houses: How much do advisers rely on fund research?

KARREN VERGARA   As fund research plays a critical role in helping financial advisers make conflict-free product recommendations, what bearing do rating houses have in helping them meet their obligations?

Betashares launches practice development offering, appoints head

CASSANDRA BALDINI   The ETF provider said its service will help financial advisers scale their businesses and welcomed Damon Riscalla to the newly created role of national head of practice development.

AMP flags first strike on remuneration

KARREN VERGARA   AMP anticipates it will receive a first strike on its remuneration report following disgruntled shareholder feedback at this morning's annual general meeting.

Canadian pension fund buys Aussie spud farm

CHLOE WALKER   The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (OTPP) and its Australian agriculture subsidiary, AustOn Corporation acquired a majority interest in potato growing giant Mitolo Family Farms.

APRA investigates NobleOak capital adequacy breach

KARREN VERGARA   The prudential regulator is taking action against NobleOak Life for breaching its capital adequacy obligations.

AustralianSuper to decrease premiums

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Members of the nation's largest superannuation fund will soon see the cost of their death and TPD cover drop.

SMSF sector hit the reset button: Research

CHLOE WALKER   The introduction of the Transfer Balance Cap (TBC) in 2017 saw contributions into SMSFs plummet by 60%. While it didn't take them long to bounce back, how they're used has changed.

BGL adds company company tax return to software solution

CASSANDRA BALDINI   The SMSF provider released an electronic lodgment of the company tax return in its investment portfolio software solution, Simple Invest 360.

Australian CPI falls to 6.8%, adds to halt hopes

CASSANDRA BALDINI   The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has slowed to 6.8% from its record high of 7.3%, adding to theories the Reserve Bank of Australia will pause rate hikes.

We sit at a watershed moment: Paton

CHLOE WALKER   Kicking off the Advisers Big Day Out (ABDO) in Sydney this morning, La Trobe Financial chief investment officer Chris Paton shared his forward outlook for the Australian economy.

Taskforce exposes rising dangers for retail investors

ANDREW MCKEAN   A Retail Market Conduct Task Force report, issued by IOSCO, has revealed a series of escalating threats to retail investors.

ASIC bans Gold Coast adviser

CHLOE WALKER   Gold Coast-based financial adviser Jeneve Matai has been banned from providing financial services for four years.

Australian Retirement Trust names investment strategy lead

ELIZABETH FRY   The appointment sees the departure of Damian Lillicrap after 13 years.

Cbus chief executive steps down

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Justin Arter is stepping down as chief executive of the $73 billion industry fund in May.

Objective will not achieve any real purpose: IFPA

ANDREW MCKEAN   The Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA) has bucked the trend, rejecting the proposal to legislate an objective of superannuation.

New laws to end unpaid super

ANDREW MCKEAN   Targeting dodgy employers, the government is introducing new legislation to combat the underpayment of workers' superannuation.

Cboe Australia migrates technology, launches BIDS offering

CHLOE WALKER   An 18-month effort has seen the bourse, formerly known as Chi-X Australia (Chi-X), officially migrate to Cboe technology.

The sophistication of cyber threats is increasing: O'Neil

CHLOE WALKER   Kicking off day two of the Conference of Major Superannuation Funds, minister for home affairs and cybersecurity Claire O'Neil shared some harrowing truths about the intensity of cyber threats on Australian super funds.

Family offices ready to take risks

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The risk appetites of family offices around the world are increasing and they've got their sights set on investment grade fixed income and emerging market equities.

Women take the lead in private wealth: KPMG

CHLOE WALKER   More and more women are stepping into wealth ownership roles in family offices, according to KPMG head of family and private wealth Robyn Langsford.