Financial Standard

Adviser population dropped 17% in 2022

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The number of financial advisers is now at its lowest in almost two decades, analysis shows.

AAT upholds AFSL cancellation

CHLOE WALKER   The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has supported ASIC's decision to cancel the AFSL of Olive Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Olive).

APAC outperforms despite global sustainable finance retreat

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Sustainable finance showed global declines across all categories in 2022, however, activity in Asia Pacific remained robust, according to research from Refinitiv.

APAC airports well positioned for recovery: Study

CHLOE WALKER   Despite the weakening macroeconomic environment, global infrastructure assets, in particular airport assets in the Asia Pacific region, are continuing to rebound strongly following the pandemic.

Berkshire Hathaway, IAG restructure agreement

CASSANDRA BALDINI   Berkshire Hathaway has renewed its whole of account quota share (WAQS) agreement with Insurance Australia Group (IAG) but ceased its strategic relationship and equity ownership.

PPS Mutual unveils new income protection product

CASSANDRA BALDINI   PPS Mutual has launched a new income protection (IP) insurance product while bolstering its existing offering.

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.

SMSF auditors in hot water

CHLOE WALKER   ASIC has acted against six self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) auditors for breaches of independence requirements and auditing standards.

US inflation hits one-year low

ANDREW MCKEAN   The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the US dropped 0.1% in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Australian CPI accelerates to 7.3%

CASSANDRA BALDINI   The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 7.3% in the year to November, dragging inflation back up to its 32-year high.

AAT upholds AFSL cancellation

CHLOE WALKER   The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has supported ASIC's decision to cancel the AFSL of Olive Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Olive).

ASIC FAR to display adviser QTRP status

CHLOE WALKER   From February 1, ASIC's Financial Advisers Register (FAR) will display whether a financial adviser can provide tax (financial) advice services to retail clients.

CBRE Investment Management appoints APAC research lead

CHLOE WALKER   CBRE Investment Management has welcomed Melbourne-based Sandy Padilla to the role of APAC head of research.

Dexus Fund Management bolsters board

CASSANDRA BALDINI   Dexus has welcomed Paula Dwyer and Rhoda Phillippo to its funds management board as independent non-executive directors, effective 1 February 2023.

Strengths and weaknesses in DC systems: Comparison

ANDREW MCKEAN   The differences between the US and Australian defined contribution workplace superannuation system has been explored at an academic forum in New York.

Best performing MySuper investment option named

ANDREW MCKEAN   Rainmaker Information has released a list of the best MySuper investment options for the year to last November.

Apex Group acquires admin technology provider

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Apex Group has acquired Pacific Fund Systems (PFS) from its co-founders and Pollen Street Capital for an undisclosed amount.

Fin365 undertakes strategic mergers

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Software provider Fin365 is enhancing its capabilities by merging with two other financial services companies, appointing a head of technology services in the process.

HNWIs remain interested in digital assets: Report

CHLOE WALKER   Australian high-net-worth investors (HNWI) have continued to take an interest in digital assets this year despite market volatility, according to digital asset manager Matrixport's Private Wealth in Digital Assets Study.

LGT Crestone brings VC offering to local HNWs

CHLOE WALKER   In partnering with StepStone Private Wealth, LGT Crestone is providing one of the first open-ended venture capital (VC) funds of its kind for Australian high-net-worth investors.