Bell reports NPAT up 26 per cent
Financial services business, Bell Financial has reported a 26 per cent increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $20.6 million for the full year, ended 31 December 2017.
The strong result was driven by its retail equities business which was again the stand-out performer of the group, with a 40 per cent increase on the prior corresponding period.
At the same time, group revenue increased 12 per cent to $208.6 million and the board declared a final dividend of 5.5 cents, fully franked.
Funds under advice (FUA) increased 22 per cent to $47.2 billion, approximately 10 per cent of which provided some form of recurring revenue the company said.
As far as the future outlook was concerned, Bell’s managing director, Alastair Provan, said: “It is very early days, but 2018 so far has been the best start we’ve had in 10 years, and provides a base for another year of solid growth across the group.”
He added that last year the company lodged a license application in the United States.
“Hopefully we will have a New York office up and running in the second quarter of 2018.
“The office structure will be similar to our Hong Kong office, and, if it is successful, will add a new dimension to our institutional distribution capability,” he said.
Recommended for you
AMP has agreed in principle to settle an advice and insurance class action that commenced in 2020 related to historic commission payment activity.
Financial advisers will have to pay around $10.4 million of the impending $47.3 million CSLR special levy but Treasury has expanded the remit to also include super fund trustees and other retail-facing sub-sectors.
While social media can have positive financial influence, the overwhelming risks signal a greater need for affordable advice as Australians continue to seek financial education on social media.
Fitzpatricks Advice Partners has released a guide on building a national advice firm with the argument that these firms are crucial to facilitating growth in the struggling profession.

