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Financial Planning

Give good advice to save yourself money: AXA

CHRIS NICHOLLS  |  WEDNESDAY, 30 MAY 2007
AXA has cut its professional indemnity insurance costs for advisers by 20 per cent and pointed to its Certified Quality Advice Practice pogram as a driver of best practice advice and business practice across its planning group.

Russell modernising pension products

HAMISH MADDEN  |  TUESDAY, 29 MAY 2007
Russell Investment Group has unveiled the Russell Private Active Pension, combining a contribution and pension account in one to make the most of the new super rules.

Super is now the centrepiece: Vanguard

ALEX DUNNIN  |  TUESDAY, 29 MAY 2007
Superannuation is now the centrepiece of every consumer's financial plan, driven by a range of recent product development initiatives coming in response to changes to Federal Government policy.

Beware the private equity trap

The gloves are off between private equity investors and turnaround experts after an insolvency expert warned that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) should think twice before tying up with a private equity fund.

Property funds building on size

CHRIS NICHOLLS  |  MONDAY, 28 MAY 2007
Australia's property fund industry is now worth a massive $356 billion with assets under management up $80 billion over the last 12 months, according to the latest Property Investment Research (PIR) survey.

Count's biggest losers donate $90k

Planners at Count Financial raised $90,000 for charity after losing a total of 800kg in weight over the financial year as part of their annual Weight Loss Challenge.

IMAP open to new members

The Institute of Managed Account Providers (IMAP) is officially accepting new members after finalising its membership conditions and key initiatives for this year.

Implemented consultants not performing: Counterpoint

CHRIS NICHOLLS  |  THURSDAY, 24 MAY 2007
Implemented consulting (IC) continues to split the jury, with the latest Counterpoint Group/Rainmaker implemented consulting survey showing ICs are on par with or underperforming regular trustees.

Super fees battle competition and returns

HAMISH MADDEN  |  WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 2007
The Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA) has released figures it says shows competition and increasing funds under management are driving down fees, however recent Rainmaker data paints a different picture.

Investa property funds get SRI tick

CHRIS NICHOLLS  |  WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 2007
Investa Funds Management's (IFM) Diversified Office Fund and Commercial Property Fund are Australia's first property funds to receive the Ethical Investment Association's Sustainable Responsible Investment (SRI) certificate.