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Financial Planning

First Guardian victims recoup 8% of $38m loan

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 3 JUL 2026
Victims of the First Guardian Master Fund will only recoup $2.9 million out of a $38.3 million loan made by responsible entity Falcon Capital, according to liquidators who said the amount represents a realistic commercial value compared to alternative ...

Financial services CSLR Levy hits $198m

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 2 JUL 2026
The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) has increased the estimated FY27 levy to be paid by the financial services sector to $198.1 million, a $60.7 million increase from its initial estimate announced in November 2025.

WT Financial bets on scaling advice practices

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  THURSDAY, 2 JUL 2026
WT Financial (WTL) is betting on scaling advice practices by consolidating its Hubco strategy, under which it is selling its consumer-facing subsidiaries to its first Hubco investment, Titan Advice Group (TAG).

Tribunal shortens financial adviser's five-year ban

KARREN VERGARA  |  WEDNESDAY, 1 JUL 2026
Financial adviser Christian Henry has scored a partial win in reducing ASIC's five-year ban on providing personal financial advice to three years upon appeal.

Advisers expect growth despite uphill challenges

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 25 JUN 2026
Despite the current headwinds involving market uncertainties, rapid digitisation and the ageing population, financial advisers remain optimistic about what they can achieve over the next few years, a new report finds. However, the growth will not be ...

Diversa drags Praemium into First Guardian lawsuit

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 23 JUN 2026
Praemium and its subsidiaries are now caught up in the ASIC-led First Guardian legal saga, having been thrown in the mix by Diversa Trustees.

Poor succession plans expose advice firms to crisis events: Report

KARREN VERGARA  |  THURSDAY, 18 JUN 2026
Most financial advice practices are ill-prepared to manage the sudden death or permanent disablement of a principal, according to new research, underscoring widespread gaps in succession and contingency planning.

Capstone joins forces with PictureWealth to form $22bn FUA planning network

MICHELLE BALTAZAR  |  WEDNESDAY, 17 JUN 2026
PictureWealth Group has inked a landmark deal with national advice licensee Capstone Financial Planning, forming a combined business with 360 financial advisers and $22 billion in funds under advice.

Product showcase: Reframing financial advice

THE FINANCIAL STANDARD TEAM  |  MONDAY, 15 JUN 2026
Brought to you by Generation Life.

Count shutters limited-advice business, slips in size ranking

MATTHEW WAI  |  FRIDAY, 5 JUN 2026
Count Financial has reportedly wound up its restricted SMSF/limited-advice service, losing some 26 advisers on the Financial Adviser Register, latest data shows.