Adviser approval hits high among Aussies



Australian clients are the most satisfied with their advisers in Asia, and come second in all major global markets, Legg Mason research showed.
The Legg Mason Global Investment Survey showed 40 per cent of the survey respondents said they were satisfied with their adviser's services, compared to the global average of 14 per cent.
More than half the respondents (58 per cent) said the main benefit of an adviser was formulating a plan to meet their financial goals, compared to 34 per cent globally.
Other benefits include avoiding expensive mistakes (47 per cent), and knocking on different doors to investment of which they would not be aware (43 per cent).
"Australian investors have enjoyed a buoyant market, and their advisers deserve credit for capturing that upside," global head of distribution marketing Matt Schiffman said.
But the areas that need improvement include lower advisory fees (36 per cent), being more proactive (30 per cent) and seeking innovative investment solutions (24 per cent).
"Local investors are after a back-to-basics approach with more of the simple things — low costs, greater engagement and more creativity in the solutions advisers bring to the table," Schiffman said.
He added the survey showed there is a desire for new and different methods to wealth creation, especially in the retirement space.
The survey looked at 4,200 investors in 20 key markets, including 200 high net worth Australian investors.
Recommended for you
A quarter of advisers who commenced on the FAR within the last two years have already switched licensees or practices, adding validity to practice owners’ professional year (PY) concerns.
Integrated wealth and financial services group Rethink has launched a financial planning arm called Rethink Wealth to expand beyond property investing and into holistic wealth management.
While adviser numbers continue to slowly creep back up, the latest Wealth Data analysis reveals they would actually be in the green for the calendar year if it weren’t for so many losses in the limited advice space.
Iress has appointed a chief AI officer to spearhead the fintech’s strategic focus on AI, with chief executive Marcus Price describing how the technology opens the doors to a “new frontier for wealth advice”.