Industry funds talk tough on opt in
The Industry Super Network (ISN) has claimed some lobbyists within the financial planning industry have been pushing to water down the Government’s financial advice changes by having proposed annual opt-in arrangements changed to three-yearly opt-ins.
The ISN’s chief economist, Sacha Vidler, claimed such a move would water down the Government’s intentions in circumstances where the grandfathering arrangements included in the Future of Financial Advice changes were intended to allow for a smooth transition.
“Clearly, any weakening of the annual renewal provisions would seriously harm the efficacy of reforms and justification for grandfathering,” he said.
“If financial advisers only have to ask clients to opt-in to asset-based fees every three years instead of every single year, they will continue to profit from consumer inertia and disengagement,” Vidler claimed.
He said requiring regular negotiation over fees was an important step in ensuring consumers only paid for advice they wanted and received.
Recommended for you
The FSCP has announced its latest verdict, suspending an adviser’s registration for failing to comply with his obligations when providing advice to three clients.
Having sold Madison to Infocus earlier this year, Clime has now set up a new financial advice licensee with eight advisers.
With licensees such as Insignia looking to AI for advice efficiencies, they are being urged to write clear AI policies as soon as possible to prevent a “Wild West” of providers being used by their practices.
Iress has revealed the number of clients per adviser that top advice firms serve, as well as how many client meetings they conduct each week.