FSC welcomes new laws to protect consumers



The Financial Services Council (FSC) has welcomed the passage of new legislation, the Design and Distribution Obligation (DDOs) and Product Intervention Powers (PIP) Bill 2019, which aims to provide consumers with more protection from poor financial products.
Under the new legislation, financial services providers would be required by law to take a more customer focused approach when offering their products.
FSC’s chief executive, Sally Loane, said that the FSC looked forward to working with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) while the regulator was building a clear framework for how the new regime would operate.
“In the limited circumstances where there is an inappropriate product sold, ASIC will now be able to intervene to protect consumers,” she said.
“While this is an important power for ASIC, the FSC believes the greatest consumer benefit comes from quality advice and products appropriate for the goals and needs of individuals.”
Recommended for you
AZ NGA has entered into a strategic partnership with national advice firm MiQ Private Wealth, as a way to provide a succession solution, as well as career development opportunities for staff.
While the advice profession struggles under growing operating costs, Adviser Ratings has found more than half of practices – some 58 per cent – that generate less than $250,000 in revenue report no profit at all.
The Federal Court has ordered the freezing of assets and the appointment of receivers to two entities linked to Australian Fiduciaries, ASIC’s latest move in an ongoing investigation into the company’s managed investment schemes.
Off the back of the August adviser exam results, the profession has seen 17 new entrants hit the Financial Adviser Register (FAR) this week, helping numbers return to positive territory.