financial advisers

Financial planning

Vertical integration 'not the problem’, it’s professionalism

Issues arising from vertical integration are not to blame for waning trust in financial advisers, with the erosion of professional values a more likely culprit, a Deloitt...

Financial planning

Fortnum completes ANZ buy-out

Fortnum Financial Group is set to become one of Australia’s largest independently owned AFSLs, after completing the purchase of ANZ’s 20 per cent stake in the company....

Financial planning

Fortnum buys out ANZ stake

Fortnum buys out 20 per cent stake-holding....

Financial planning

Macquarie hits back at SMH claims

Macquarie says it “found no evidence” that several financial advisers cheated on a continued professional development (CPD) test using answers circulated by management. ...

Advisers need to focus clients on estate planning

Financial advisers are being urged to educate their clients about the importance of estate planning....

Financial planning

AFA sets out minimum professional practice and ethical standards

AFA members will have to abide by six new principles of professionalism, which are set to form a critical part of the AFA’s revised Code of Conduct....

Financial planning

New adviser risk management strategy needed: Milliman

Financial advisers have been encouraged to tackle diversifiable and systematic risk simultaneously to meet the needs of a growing base of retirees seeking advice. ...

Policy & Regulation

Central register could restore trust in advice: AFA

A central register of advisers could help weed out rogue operators in the financial advice space and rebuild trust in the profession, the Association of Financial Adviser...

Policy & Regulation

Moves by the Federal Government to introduce an enhanced register of financial advisers are being backed by the FPA and FSC....

Financial planning

Growth not the only objective, expanding licensee says

A burgeoning licensee admits it has had to turn away prospective advisers who did not fit with the business’ trajectory, despite solid growth in the last year....

Policy & Regulation

Key accommodations ensure FOFA changes

A letter written by Senator Mathias Cormann to Clive Palmer confirms the concessions that were necessary to ensure passage of the regulations changing FOFA....

Financial planning

Xplan wins market share while Midwinter wins minds

Financial planning software continues to be a hotly-contested market space with Xplan continuing to dominate the market while Midwinter’s software receives the highest ov...

Financial planning

FSI education benchmark applauded, but exam questioned

Industry advocate groups have broadly welcomed the Financial System Inquiry (FSI) interim report’s vow to lift the education bar for advisers, but one has questioned the ...

Policy & Regulation

AFA thankful FOFA reforms will stand

The Association of Financial Advisers has thanked the Palmer United Party “for its proactive action” in voting down a move to disallow the Government’s FOFA reforms....

Financial planning

FSI interim report canvasses higher planner standards

The interim report of the Financial Systems Inquiry has pointed to higher educational standards for planners, a national exam regime and tougher powers for ASIC....