Private equity, MLC and known knowns
Amid persistent reports that National Australia Bank is well down the path of flogging off MLC to private equity, Outsider wonders whether any of the buyers are keeping a weather eye on the state of Australia’s superannuation industry.
A significant part of the value of MLC is tied up in its wealth and superannuation platforms and Outsider would hate to think that those advising any of the private equity bidders had overlooked the impact of the Government’s hardship superannuation early release regime or the manner in which certain Coalition back-benchers are advocating for long-term superannuation policy change.
If the private equity advisers were paying attention they would have noted that MLC’s superannuation offering was among the 10 funds named by the Australian Prudential
Regulation Authority as having the highest level of early release outflows.
However, given the number of Coalition operatives who have found their way into the executive suites and boardrooms of financial services companies, perhaps the private equity bidders for MLC know something that Outsider does not know.
Recommended for you
When it comes to a business merger, achieving the voting approval can be just the first step.
When it comes to human interest stories, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is keen to let the organisations it regulates know its staff are more than just faceless automatons.
Outsider is hopeful of the news from advice firm Invest Blue that it is trialling a move to a nine-day fortnight for its staff.
With Valentines’ Day just around the corner, Outsider had better get his thinking cap on as to what he can buy for Mrs O this year.