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Financial Planning

Boutique focus with new super product: Bendigo Wealth

ELISE BURGESS  |  FRIDAY, 30 SEP 2011
Bendigo Wealth has set its sights on independent financial advisers with its new super investment product including ten active and index funds, a cash option, one administration fee of $98 and fully flexible insurance options.

Dealer groups 'like' social media enterprising

ELISE BURGESS  |  FRIDAY, 30 SEP 2011
Financial planning dealer groups are responding to a groundswell of momentum to social media, but before they move into the public domain they are making themselves at home with enterprise social media networking.

Soft dollar ban impact potential

ELISE BURGESS  |  THURSDAY, 29 SEP 2011
With the banning of soft dollar benefits of more than $300 now a definite feature of industry reforms, the potential impact may be greater than first thought, with July research finding that almost 45% of planners receive benefits.

Second tranche of FOFA well received: industry

ELISE BURGESS  |  THURSDAY, 29 SEP 2011
The second tranche of FOFA reforms has earned a warm, albeit subdued, welcome from the industry with little or no reaction from large dealer groups but solid support from industry associations.

Call for realism on planner services

MATT WOODINGTON  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 SEP 2011
The financial advice industry needs to establish better ways to communicate exactly what it can offer to potential clients, as the direct link between service and cost becomes more tangible.

AFS to focus on independent market

ELISE BURGESS  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 SEP 2011
Independent dealer group, Australian Financial Services Group, has declined three alliance and merger offers from fellow planning groups as it renews its focus with new products and restructure, including a new MDA facility.

Westpac launches virtual planning service

ELISE BURGESS  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 SEP 2011
Financial planning services are seemingly limitless in distance after Westpac launched its first virtual financial planning service, linking Sydney-based planners to residents in a lucrative mining district.

IOOF takeover receives 99% approval

ELISE BURGESS  |  WEDNESDAY, 28 SEP 2011
Eligible DKN shareholders have expressed full support for the proposed takeover by IOOF Holdings, voting 99% in favour of the move.

Banned adviser faces jail term

ELISE BURGESS  |  TUESDAY, 27 SEP 2011
Banned South Australian financial adviser, Trevor Wayne Carll, is facing 28 charges from ASIC, including deception, with a possible jail time of ten years for each offence.

FOFA fatigue prompts new Guardian offering

ELISE BURGESS  |  MONDAY, 26 SEP 2011
Guardian Financial Planning's 145 advisers now have access to a free paraplanning service for risk Statements of Advice. The new offering comes after Guardian surveyed its advisers and found they are suffering from FOFA fatigue.