Adviser complaints around 1% of AFCA total
Financial advisers only make up 1.4% of complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), with the average compensation being $20,000.
Of the 72,700 complaints received last year, 40% were for credit, 24% for general insurance, 12% deposit taking, 8% for superannuation, 7% for payment systems.
For investments and advice, that was 6%, but that included foreign exchange and managed investment schemes.
Life insurance similarly accounted for a low amount of cases – 2% overall.
Speaking to a Senate Committee, David Locke, AFCA chief executive and chief ombudsman, said it had received 997 complaints in total in the last 12 months.
“The number of complaints with get with regard to financial advisers is actually quite low,” Locke said.
Recommended for you
A relevant provider has received a written direction from the Financial Services and Credit Panel after a superannuation rollover resulted in tax bill of over $200,000 for a client.
Estimates for the calendar year 2024 put the advice industry on track for a loss in adviser numbers as exits offset gains from new entrants.
Adviser Ratings shares five ways that financial advice changed in 2024 with an optimistic outlook for 2025, thanks to the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes legislation.
National advice firm Invest Blue has announced several acquisitions, including the purchase of an estate planning and wealth protection business Lambert Group.