AFS remains acquisitive


Independent dealer group Australian Financial Services Group (AFS) is considering acquisition opportunities of both dealer groups and other businesses that could create alternative revenue streams for the group, according to chief Peter Daly.
Daly said the group was currently undertaking due diligence on one "large" dealer group, albeit one that is smaller than AFS' 226 advisers.
Daly said the group had also recently looked at acquiring a number of smaller dealer groups in recent months, but in each case had been outbid by a financial institution.
While there are still high numbers of dealer groups up for sale, Daly said the group was also considering the acquisition of businesses that could create alternative income streams for the group. This could include the addition of general insurance or mortgage aggregation services to the group's adviser practices.
Any potential acquisitions would be funded through a combination of the group's capital and bank funding, while a capital raising could also be on the cards.
Recommended for you
ASIC has released the results of its first adviser exam to be held in 2025, with 241 candidates attempting the test.
Quarterly Wealth Data analysis has uncovered positive improvements in financial adviser numbers compared with losses in the prior corresponding period.
Holding portfolios that are too complex or personalised can be a detractor for acquirers of financial advice firms as they require too much effort to maintain post-acquisition.
As the financial advice profession continues to wait on further DBFO legislation, industry commentators have encouraged advisers to act now in driving practice efficiency.