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Financial Planning

Clime offloads advice business, keeps 10% stake

KARREN VERGARA  |  MONDAY, 16 MAR 2026
Clime Investment Management is offloading its financial advice unit for $6.5 million to an unnamed group but will retain a 10% interest in the newly combined business.

AFCA expands scam-related complaints, publication rules

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 13 MAR 2026
Expanding its jurisdiction, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will now publish the names of financial firms that do not meet determinations and investigate scam-related complaints involving receiving banks.

Australians like AI, reluctant to trust it on financial decisions: Survey

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  WEDNESDAY, 11 MAR 2026
Australians are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily lives, but most remain reluctant to trust it with decisions about their money.

Interprac sues AFCA over Shield determination

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  TUESDAY, 10 MAR 2026
Interprac Financial Planning has commenced Federal Court proceedings against the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, believing it has not been treated fairly in relation to its role in the Shield disaster.

Brisbane financial adviser appears in court on dishonesty charges

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  TUESDAY, 10 MAR 2026
Brisbane financial adviser Sunny Mahendra Prakash appeared in the city's Magistrates Court on March 6 to face multiple charges of dishonesty offences.

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.