Calls to add FSG to adviser register to avoid misinformation
Financial Services Guides (FSG) should be included as part of the proposed national register of financial advisers to provide detailed remuneration information and to prevent consumers getting skewed information on advisers from commercially operated websites.
Chan & Naylor Wealth Planning partner David Hasib said the mandatory inclusion of FSGs on the national adviser register being created by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) would address the issue of conflicted remuneration by requiring an adviser's relationship with product providers and their fee schedules to be included on the register.
Hasib said these details are included in every FSG and without its inclusion "we will have an incomplete disclosure platform that may encourage consumers to further their understanding via alternative and easily accessible online resources whose representation of the industry is based on the opinion of peers rather than fact".
He also stated that the inclusion of FSGs would allow advisers to use commissions as a payment model arguing they worked for the benefits of consumers where advice was transparent and clients could make informed choices and a product best fit their needs.
However, for this to take place information about fees, commissions, ownership and product provider affiliation needed to be made publicly available via FSGs on the ASIC register of advisers according to Hasib.
He said Chan & Naylor supported the development of the register which would provide those seeking advice with a better picture of the adviser they may work with and what products may be represented through that relationship.
"Having a consolidated and comprehensive view within a central framework that is controlled by the regulator will enable consumers to make a more informed decision before engaging a particular advisor," Hasib said.
AUTHOR
Jason Spits
Recommended for you
ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland has detailed the regulator’s intentions to conduct surveillance on licensees and advisers who are recommending managed accounts, noting a review is “warranted and timely” given the sector’s growth.
AMP and HUB24 have shared the areas where they are seeking future adviser growth, with HUB24 targeting adding more than 2,000 advisers to the platform.
Bravura Solutions has appointed a new chair and deputy chair to take over from departing Matthew Quinn, while Shezad Okhai picks up another responsibility.
Two advisers say M&A is becoming a “contact sport” as competition heats up to acquire attractive advice firms, while a lack of new entrants creates roadblocks in organic growth opportunities.
