What advisers should focus on as a new regulatory horizon dawns
Advisers need to be in lockstep with what is an ever-changing slate of priorities for the corporate regulator, and right now that means ticking a particular set of boxes related to consumer protection.
Soaring ETF market needs asset servicing to match its growth
Inefficiencies in the back office and clearing systems that the burgeoning ETF market relies on need to be rooted out, but data shows there may be a disconnect between what providers and consumers believe matters.
Minister turns back on CSLR as AFCA steps in, looks to cut Dixons membership
It's a welcome stopper on the amount advisers will have to fork out, but has no connection to the core issue. The government still fails to recognise the inherent flaws in its CSLR scheme, and the industry is running out of patience.
'Now's the time': FPA, AFA announce merger plans
Prompted by advice industry rationalisation, the Levy review and the need for a united voice in Canberra, the two major associations will invite members to provide feedback on a proposed merger.
Australian Super's fee plan needs a second look
Fee raises at the nation's biggest super fund have raised questions about the benefits of scale. If Australian Super has to increase fees, what chance do smaller funds have?
Holes revealed in new fund disclosure regulations
Morningstar has released a research paper citing how "abysmal" Australia's portfolio holdings disclosure requirements are for superannuation funds.
Private markets remain key to income, diversification
News that Australian Super had reported a negative return of just 2.7 per cent for the FY22 financial year likely came as a surprise to many.
Hostplus claims top spot for super returns in 2021-22
Research houses and Chant West and SuperRatings have released lists of the top performing superannuation funds for 2021-22, and leading both lists is Hostplus' Balanced fund.
SOAs do little to address information asymmetry
While the focus of the advice industry groups has very much been around making the day to day lives of those in the industry easier, the likes of the AFCA, Vanguard and several law firms have offered insight into the impact on the consumer.
'Incredible' dispersion in balanced fund returns
2022 has marked just the fifth financial year of negative returns since the SG became compulsory in 1992. This should not be a surprising result.
High court ruling gives certainty on binding nominations
Self-managed super funds have once again returned to popularity in recent years, with establishments seeing growth once again, as more Australians become engaged with their retirement assets.
Regulator warns underperforming funds on member comms
Bringing oversight to a multi-trillion dollar sector was important, but the regulations are far from perfect, with many suggesting they effectively direct industry funds toward an indexed approach, or alternatively, don't appreciate the nuances of investing for the very long-term.
SMSF numbers jump, top industry fund growth in 2022
The lockdowns of 2021 and a trend for younger people to set up a self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have driven a sharp growth in the number of funds being established in Australia with assets their assets under management (AUM) now approaching $1 trillion.
Super wars renewed by Morrison ahead of election
Once a stalking horse for a small cabal of noisy backbenchers, "Home First, Super Second" has found its way into the Coalition's policy arsenal ahead of an unpredictable election.
Stability, simplification, abolition of Safe Harbour, FDS proposed
"We are at a critical crossroad, with an aging population, and the "Great Australian Wealth Transfer" at our doorstep" explained Lifespan Financial Planning CEO Eugene Ardino in an open letter to Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese on the eve of the Federal Election.
Funding model, wholesale test lead FPA's election platform
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has outlined its policy platform, or target areas for the next Federal Government.
Superannuation returns hit by volatility
A bounce in share markets in March supported superannuation fund performance in the first quarter of 2022. However, with inflation concerns mounting, global share markets remain volatile, including the hard-hit US share market, which is likely to dent superannuation returns for the current financial year.
