Zurich AFSL helps boost adviser numbers
Zurich Assure has started a new AFSL with 14 advisers as the industry sees net growth of 33 advisers.
According to Wealth Data, there was a net change of 33 advisers in the week to 9 February, compared to losses of 26 in the previous week.
Some 25 licensees had net gains for 53 advisers and 15 licensee owners had net losses of 19 advisers. Three new licensees commenced and one ceased.
Wealth Data founder, Colin Williams, said: “A significant number of advisers who left the ASIC FAR (last week) were transitioning to new licensees. The transition for most is now complete and has contributed to this week's growth after last week's losses. The number of Provisional Advisers has also increased to eight, marking another positive week of new entrants”.
Growth was seen at Zurich Assure which started its new AFSL with 14 advisers who had previously been at Bombora after Zurich acquired the ANZ Risk business.
A second licensee also commenced with nine advisers, having previously been part of a large practice at Australian Unity, while a third started with two advisers from Lonsdale (Insignia).
Fortnum increased by five, Perpetual by three and 20 licensees recorded a net increase of one adviser.
As for losses, Insignia decreased by three after losing four advisers and gaining one Provisional Adviser and Centrepoint decreased by two. Oreana decreased by two and then there was a tail of 12 licensees who declined by one each.
Recommended for you
Insignia Financial has returned to profit in FY25, after a $185m loss in the previous year, while its advice division grew their revenue per adviser by 14 per cent.
With licensee switching on the rise, particularly for newer advisers, compliance expert Sean Graham has shared red flags to watch out for when making the jump between AFSLs.
Beyond their investment benefits, over a third of advisers say utilising managed accounts solutions has allowed them to take on more clients, according to Praemium.
Insignia Financial’s wrap platform has appointed Heidi Press, former HUB24 head of product management, to spearhead the design and delivery of the MLC Expand platform.

