15 March 2010 | The Government's failure to release the Henry Tax Review has angered financial planners.
1 March 2010 | A change in the FPA leadership may be for the better, writes Mike Taylor.
22 February 2010 | Mike Taylor looks at the ACCC's report on NAB's and AMP's bids for AXA Asia Pacific, as well as industry consolidation in general.
15 February 2010 | The Rudd Government’s initial response to the latest intergenerational report was, to say the least, both predictable and disappointing, writes Mike Taylor.
8 February 2010 | The Government’s broader spin machine appears to be positioning the electorate for the news (hardly surprising) that while the Henry Tax Review may be in the business of recommending targeted tax breaks to keep people working, it will not be recommending an increase in the superannuation guarantee.
14 December 2009 | While much remains unresolved about future government policy and the ultimate shape of financial planning regulation, a good deal is already obvious. Change is inevitable.
7 December 2009 | The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (the Ripoll Inquiry) has delivered precisely what could be expected from a parliamentary inquiry – a set of recommendations for the Government to consider but no silver bullets. A Mike Taylor editorial.
30 November 2009 | It is time for Industry Super Network's David Whiteley to put down the verbal cudgels and for his industry funds’ backers to cease their consequent expenditure of members’ funds.
23 November 2009 | While some might argue mergers and acquisitions activity has not significantly altered the competitive dynamic of the nation’s financial services industry, it has certainly reduced the diversity of the underlying options available to financial planners. A Mike Taylor editorial.
16 November 2009 | The Investment and Financial Services Association’s (IFSA) sponsorship of research by KPMG and Econotech that defines the value of financial advice was both necessary and highly timely. A Mike Taylor editorial.
9 November 2009 | If one thing has been made clear in our examination of platforms and wraps in Money Management, it is that financial planning operates within a highly commercial and, therefore, highly competitive environment. A Mike Taylor editorial.
2 November 2009 | The latest research from Wealth Insights and Investment Trends has served to reinforce the degree to which financial planners understand their clients, their industry and their willingness to embrace change when it becomes obvious and necessary. A Mike Taylor editorial.
26 October 2009 | For those prepared to analyse his words, the Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen, earlier this month sent a clear message that the Government will be cherry-picking the recommendations of the Henry Tax Review to ensure electoral palatability. A Mike Taylor editorial.
5 October 2009 | Financial planning companies and individual planners have been the subject of severe adverse findings by Financial Ombudsman Service panelists, writes Mike Taylor.
28 September 2009 | Professional Investment Services (PIS) took a serious reputational hit last week when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission announced it had reached a settlement with PIS on matters relating to a class action tied to the collapse of Westpoint. Mike Taylor discusses
14 September 2009 | To what degree should dealer groups filter the data they receive from research and ratings houses, asks Mike Taylor.
24 August 2009 | Two interesting and welcome events occurred in the financial planning industry last week – the Financial Planning Association (FPA) agreed with the Association of Financial Advisers (FPA) to stand together on regulatory reform and the FPA then reached similar agreement with the Self-Managed Superannuation Professionals Association of Australia (SPAA) on policy and professional development.
27 July 2009 | Anyone who was surprised by the official line of IFSA on the question of intra-fund advice has now had a reality check.
13 July 2009 | It ought come as no surprise to most Australian financial planners that they have an image problem and that they represent an easy target for what was once known as the ‘popular press’.
15 June 2009 | It is becoming increasingly obvious that irrespective of the initiatives flagged by the Financial Planning Association, the Australian financial services industry is going to have to review and clean up its act with respect to fees, charges and commissions.
9 June 2009 | With the Federal Budget having delivered little more than some revenue-oriented tinkering to the financial services environment, a good deal of attention is now being focused on what might or might not be delivered as a result of the recommendations flowing from the Henry Review of Taxation.
26 March 2009 | A mere six months ago, the common wisdom among financial planners was that most clients would be best advised not cashing out their investments lest they miss the inevitable recovery in the market. For many clients this may still represent sound advice.
29 January 2009 | A MIKE TAYLOR editorial
11 December 2008 | A MIKE TAYLOR editorial
4 December 2008 | A MIKE TAYLOR editorial