Newspaper icon
The latest issue of Financial Standard now available as an e-newspaper
READ NOW

Financial Planning

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.

Centrepoint Alliance acquires two advice firms

KARREN VERGARA  |  MONDAY, 1 JUN 2026
Centrepoint Alliance will acquire Queensland financial advice practices Cairns Wealth and Pinnacle Wealth for $3 million from Astute Financial Management.

Small pocket of failed measures can 'blow the entire business': Anderson

MATTHEW WAI  |  FRIDAY, 29 MAY 2026
FAAA general manager of policy, advocacy and standards Phil Anderson warned licensees to improve their control measures for authorised representatives to avoid any unintended consequences.

AFCA puts InterPrac determinations on ice

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 29 MAY 2026
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is pausing all InterPrac Financial Planning-related determinations as court proceedings instigated by the latter are underway.

More advisers go self-licensed to avoid associative risks

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2026
An industry expert said financial advisers are increasingly moving towards a self-licensed model to gain better control of their business, while avoiding the risks of operating under large dealer groups.

FAAA pushes for 'fundamental' changes to CSLR

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2026
The Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) is pushing for "fundamental changes" to how the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) is funded, arguing it would be detrimental to financial advisers and small businesses if it continues in its ...