FOFA

Editorial

The Australian financial services industry is facing some serious challenges through 2012 – something which Financial Services Council chief executive John Brogden pointe...

Policy & Regulation

PJC fails to agree on FOFA

Coalition dissents on Parliamentary Joint Committee's FOFA report and argues for the abandoning of financial advice opt-in and for changes to best interests....

Financial planning

ASIC warned on research payments ban

ASIC warned that seeking to revisit a ban on direct payments from fund managers to research providers would be counter-productive....

Financial planning

Accountants urge SMSF advice ability

The Institute of Public Accountants wants a post-FOFA regime allowing accountants to provide general financial advice, including around SMSF establishment....

Financial planning

Ombudsman's slim grasp of intra-fund advice disputes

The Financial Ombudsman Service has admitted it has only minimal specific information about the number of intra-fund advice disputes it handles....

Financial planning

ASIC warned on research payments ban

ASIC warned that seeking to revisit a ban on direct payments from fund managers to research providers would be counter-productive....

Policy & Regulation

Expect variable FOFA transitionary arrangements

The Government is expected to announce variable transitionary arrangements around the implementation of FOFA....

Policy & Regulation

Where are the Greens on FOFA?

Observers attending the parliamentary committees reviewing the FOFA bills are concerned at the absence of the Australian Greens....

Policy & Regulation

FPA asks for a one-year transition on FOFA

The Financial Planning Association has asked the Government to allow a one-year transition timeframe for the implementation of the Future of Financial Advice reforms....

Editorial

Who picks up the costs of rushing FOFA?

If Bill Shorten did not already have enough reason to announce appropriate transition periods for the implementation of FOFA and the Stronger Super legislation, he might ...

Financial planning

AFS tap into mobile technology

In an effort to enhance business-to-business and business-to-client relationships, Australian Financial Services Group Limited' (AFS) has backed mobile technology as the ...

Editorial

Financial planners start the year with a reality check

Although financial planners are in for another tough year, the Financial Planning Association's Mark Rantall believes this could be a good time to reflect on how to creat...

Editorial

Getting FOFA's timing right

The Government seems determined to bring on parliamentary debate about the FOFA bills well before the May Budget but, as Mike Taylor reports, Financial Services Minister ...

Financial planning

Financial planning opt-in hangs in the balance

Australia's key financial planning industry organisations have been heartened by a declaration by NSW independent Rob Oakeshott that he will oppose 'opt-in' when the Gove...

Financial planning

Platforms spent $130 million on developments in 2011

Platform providers have invested around $130 million on new developments in 2011, with MLC Wrap and Navigator platforms receiving the highest ranking from financial plann...