SMF cracks $2 billion and 100,000 members
By Jason Spits
SMFFunds Managementhas surpassed $2 billion in funds under management (FUM) and has in excess of 100,000 members investing in the group.
The increase in both FUM and member numbers follows SMF’s recent purchase of a segment ofMellon’s FutureLink Master Trust, which boosted the group’s FUM by $100 million and brought in 100 corporate superannuation funds.
SMF managing director Chris Kelaher says the $100 million injection was important, but the group had also benefited from favourable market conditions, although he adds that SMF will continue to look at acquisitions to boost FUM further.
Late last year, SMF picked up Lynchpin Financial Services as part of a strategy to boost distribution through either acquisition or alliance partnerships.
SMF also established an administration support service — Sentinel Adviser Services — for those advisers it has a relationship with. It has a Hobart-based administration business with more than $1 billion of funds under administration.
The group offers investments through four platforms and distributes these via Lynchpin and a number of independent advisers. The group also fully owns asset manager, United Funds Management, which has over $1 billion in funds under management.
Recommended for you
There could be changes ahead for how ASIC requires licensees to handle conflicts of interest as the corporate regulator announces it will be meeting key stakeholders next year to update guidance.
Proper recordkeeping has been described as the “mortar between the bricks” of the advice process and critical to an FSCP decision as an adviser is suspended for failures in this area.
As investors increasingly seek to embed ESG considerations in their portfolios, a specialist adviser has offered tips for financial planners who may feel overwhelmed in tackling these complex topics with clients.
Global investment consultancy bfinance is expanding into offering services for wealth managers as they seek advanced investment strategies for their clients.