Financial Standard

Calls for a simplified path to financial advice

ANDREW MCKEAN   Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) chief executive Sarah Abood said she supports recent proposals around adviser education from the Joint Associations Working Group (JAWG) because "we need far more people with these qualifications" and the current system isn't supporting that need.

ANZ transfers Will bank to Equity Trustees

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   ANZ Bank will hand over its 6000-strong Will bank to Equity Trustees, following a decision to cease estate planning services from July.

Seven fund managers scoop up First Sentier mandates

KARREN VERGARA   Colonial First State (CFS) flags it will appoint seven new managers to take over several mandates that will be vacated by First Sentier Investments (FSI) following the shock closure of four local investment teams.

LGT Crestone launches new investment solution

ELIZA BAVIN   LGT Crestone has introduced a new investment solution for its clients, offering access to alternatives.

ClearView closes ClearChoice Super Rollover, launches trauma options

KARREN VERGARA   ClearView has made changes to its ClearChoice product series, including the launch of trauma options, and is closing its ClearChoice Super Rollover product.

Aussies underestimate life insurance's importance: Investment Trends

ANDREW MCKEAN   There is a gap in perception among Australians of life insurance as a crucial component of financial stability, according to an Investment Trends Consumer Insurance Needs report.

Proposed super tax obfuscates legacy pensions rules: SMSFA

KARREN VERGARA   The proposed 30% tax on large superannuation balances must clarify the confusion surrounding legacy pensions and reserves, and how they should be calculated, according to the SMSF Association (SMSFA).

intelliflo adds SMSF cashflow modelling capabilities

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Advisers using intelliflo now have access to cashflow modelling tools for SMSF clients.

Industry reacts to Federal Budget

ELIZA BAVIN   Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Federal Budget last night. Here's how the industry has reacted.

Chalmers makes bold inflation prediction

ELIZA BAVIN   The Federal Treasurer says he believes inflation will come back into the Reserve Bank's target range sooner than predicted.

BitConnect promoter pleads guilty

KARREN VERGARA   The promoter of BitConnect Australia has pleaded guilty for his role in spruiking a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme.

Social media influencers charged for promoting shady investments

ANDREW MCKEAN   Reality TV stars from shows like Love Island, Geordie Shore, and The Only Way Is Essex are due to face Court for pushing unauthorised investment schemes on their followers.

Cbus deputy CIO exits

KARREN VERGARA   The deputy chief investment officer of Cbus has left the super fund eight months after being appointed to the post.

Spaceship appoints new chief risk officer

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Spaceship has tapped a former ASIC and APRA operative to be its new chief risk officer.

Another corporate fund bites the dust

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The Nissan Superannuation Plan will be wound up on July 31, almost 50 years on from its creation.

Active Super, Vision Super finally sign transfer deed

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Almost two years on from confirming merger talks, the two super funds have set a date for the successor fund transfer.

The rising role and risks of generative AI

ANDREW MCKEAN   Generative AI, a rapidly advancing form of deep learning that mimics human output, also raises concerns about the verifiability of its results, UTS industry professor - emerging technology Nicholas Davis says.

Iress breach extends to OneVue business

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Iress has confirmed the breach it was victim to over the weekend was worse than first thought, having spread to the recently offloaded OneVue business.

Succession planning troubles family offices: J.P. Morgan

KARREN VERGARA   Global family offices remain deeply concerned about how to prepare the next generation to inherit a vast fortune as almost 30% do not have a structured approach to help them, a new study from J.P. Morgan reveals.

Wholesale investor tests up for parliamentary review

KARREN VERGARA   The federal government wants to shake up the wholesale investor tests further in launching a parliamentary inquiry into the entire framework, worrying many fund managers operating in the high-net-worth space.