Tougher quarter for Commonwealth Bank


The Commonwealth Bank’s wealth management divisions have registered the more subdued market conditions experienced in the March quarter, reporting both reduced funds under management (FUM) and funds under administration (FUA).
In a quarterly report released to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) today, the Commonwealth announced unaudited cash earnings for the period of approximately $1.5 billion.
Dealing with wealth management and insurance, the group noted the reduction in FUA and FUM and said they had been impacted by outflows from short-term wholesale cash mandates.
However, it said that its FirstChoice platform had continued to attract strong retail flows, with net inflows of just over $700 million in the quarter.
In said that in-force premiums had increased by 3.1 per cent to $1.5 billion, while general insurance operating margins had been impacted by claims associated with major weather events in Melbourne and Perth.
Commenting on the quarterly result, Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ralph Norris said that while the economic outlook had progressively improved, operating conditions remained challenging.
Recommended for you
Licensee Centrepoint Alliance has completed the acquisition of Brighter Super’s annual review service advice book, via Financial Advice Matters.
ASIC has launched court proceedings against the responsible entity of three managed investment schemes with around 600 retail investors.
There is a gap in the market for Australian advisers to help individuals with succession planning as the country has been noted by Capital Group for being overly “hands off” around inheritances.
ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of an advice firm associated with Shield and First Guardian collapses, and permanently banned its responsible manager.