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Financial Planning

Australians unlock only 1% of $600bn in home equity: Deloitte

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 9 MAR 2026
A new study reveals that around $600 billion of home equity can be unlocked through structured equity release products, yet only a fraction has been used thus far.

Former adviser incurs additional charges for dishonest conduct

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  FRIDAY, 6 MAR 2026
Former financial adviser Donald James Cuthbertson has been charged with 11 additional counts of dishonest representation.

Advice remains profitable for those who prepare: Centurion Market Makers

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  THURSDAY, 5 MAR 2026
Those looking to sell an advice practice in the coming years would do well to prepare now, with Centurion Market Makers saying those who understand the drivers of valuations early will achieve the best outcome.

AFCA membership extended for Shield, First Guardian-linked firms

KARREN VERGARA  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 MAR 2026
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has suspended expelling members in liquidation linked to the collapse of the Shield Master Fund and First Guardian Master Fund.

MIS review ignores key issues: FAAA

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 3 MAR 2026
Treasury's fresh review into managed investment schemes (MISs) falls short of addressing critical issues that could prevent another Shield Master Fund and First Guardian Master Fund disaster, the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) says.

Platform cybersecurity, service quality now advisers' deciding factors

MATTHEW WAI  |  FRIDAY, 27 FEB 2026
A new report revealed an uplift in adviser expectations across functionality, service and security from their platform providers.

CFS cuts ties with Otivo, launches own super advice

KARREN VERGARA  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 FEB 2026
Colonial First State (CFS) has ceased its partnership with digital advice technology provider Otivo less than two years after joining forces, opting instead to launch an in-house offering called Super Advice.

Sequoia weighs InterPrac's fate, launches review

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 24 FEB 2026
Following the demise of the Shield and First Guardian master funds, regulatory pressure and being blacklisted from several platforms, Sequoia Financial Group is now reviewing the viability of InterPrac Financial Planning.

Adviser gap could boost equity release products: Homesafe

MATTHEW WAI  |  MONDAY, 23 FEB 2026
Home equity release solutions may address the "asset-rich but cash-poor" issue transpiring across older generations who cannot get access to financial advice, Homesafe Wealth says.

OneVue adviser exits dents Praemium's FUA

KARREN VERGARA  |  MONDAY, 23 FEB 2026
Praemium has lost $827 million in gross outflows mostly related to financial advisers from OneVue exiting after it finalised the acquisition of the platform last December.