financial adviser

Editorial

Mike Taylor writes that the existence of large payments and the perception that a sales culture continues to exist in the financial planning space represents a dangerous ...

Financial planning

Research houses' consolidation concerns

The consolidation within the financial planning dealer group space is a potential concern for research houses over the long-term, but at the moment it's business as usual...

Financial planning

Mutual trans-Tasman recognition of financial adviser qualifications

ASIC has formed an agreement with New Zealand's FMA which will allow advisers trained in Australia to have their qualifications recognised in New Zealand and vice versa....

Financial planning

Financial adviser survey counters FSC on churn

A new survey has revealed significant opposition to some elements of the Financial Services Council's anti-churn policy approach....

Editorial

Why life insurance is a necessity in tough times

TAL’s Jim Minto argues that while the current economic climate is continuing to worry consumers, now more than ever is precisely the time financial advisers and insurers ...

Financial planning

Former Guardian FP adviser pleads guilty to dishonest conduct

A former adviser for Guardian Financial Planning has pleaded guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court to falsifying 65 insurance applications in order to collect commissi...

Policy & Regulation

FOFA passes, but confusion over enshrining 'financial planner'

The Government’s Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) legislation passed through the Senate yesterday, but there seems to be some confusion over whether the terms 'financial...

Policy & Regulation

Key FOFA 'concession' in question

The Federal Opposition has signalled it remains to be convinced about either introducing or supporting legislation which would restrict the use of the terms 'financial pl...

Superannuation

Comparing SMSFs with industry and retail superannuation funds

Industry experts believe proposed legislation and a new licensing regime will give way to like-for-like cost comparisons between SMSFs, industry and retail superannuation...

Financial planning

Satisfaction with financial advisers improves

Client satisfaction with their advisers' skills and reliability has improved significantly in the past six months despite stagnant share market performance....

Financial planning

Finding a good adviser down to 'chance': Robin Bowerman

Finding a good adviser is 'almost a matter of chance' according to Vanguard head of corporate affairs and market development Robin Bowerman....

Financial planning

SMSFs leaving financial advisers in the cold

The number of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) using a RG146-compliant financial adviser has continued to decline, sitting at 52 per cent, according to Investmen...

Financial planning

Bendigo Wealth phone advice service doubles

Bendigo Wealth’s phone-based scaled advice service has doubled from five to 10 wealth consultants in its first three months, with the group looking to expand it to includ...

Life/Risk

Trauma insurance and the changing definition of a heart attack

Col Fullagar looks at the recent changes to the insurance definition of a heart attack and considers possible impacts on the financial advice process....