australian securities and investments commission

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION

Editorial

There are signs a lack of precision in the legislation has left too much to the interpretation of ASIC in translating FOFA into workable regulations....

Financial planning

Concerns over PI 'distortions'

Some planners are worried that PI requirements risk compromising best interest allocations....

Financial planning

Approved Product Lists under scrutiny

Financial planning licensees need to take a close look at their Approved Product Lists (APLs) to ensure they are sufficiently broad, according to Minter Ellison partner R...

Financial planning

Communicating the value of research falls on researchers

Despite new disclosure requirements being welcome by most of the industry, articulating the value-add of investment research to consumers is left up to the interpretation...

Financial planning

Financial planning in the age of FOFA

While the ultimate shape of FOFA might depend on who wins the next Federal election, financial planners will have a busy year ahead nevertheless, writes the FPA’s Dante D...

Financial planning

MFAA wants clarity on variations to credit contracts

The Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) is seeking clarity from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regarding the circumstances b...

Financial planning

ASIC extends class order relief for funded representative actions

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has extended the class order relief for funded representatives involved in the winding up of an insolvent comp...

Editorial

Why financial planners should aspire to be more like doctors (and less like lawyers)

Mike Taylor argues that if financial planners are to follow a template for becoming a profession, they should choose medicine over the law....

Policy & Regulation

Compliance burden to shift to advisers under FOFA

Updated regulatory guidance published by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) late last year has shifted much of the compliance burden directly ont...

Financial planning

Did ASIC spell the end of asset-based fees?

The new guidance on best interests duty implies asset-based fees are just as conflicted as commissions, according to Claire Wivell Plater....

Superannuation

ASFA warns of moral hazard in APRA levy

Auditor General told that a moral hazard may be generated by the manner in which the so-called APRA levy is raised....

Editorial

Financial services’ year of living dangerously

Apart from volatile markets and investor sentiment, this year has also seen major policy developments, new investment trends and key career and business moves. Tim Stewar...

Financial planning

ASIC suspends Sydney practice's licence

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has suspended the Australian financial services licence of Sydney-based planning practice Cabot Square Financi...

Financial planning

Cormann unconvinced on enshrining 'financial planner/adviser'

The Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Senator Mathias Cormann, confirms he remains to be convinced on the need to legally restrict use of the term 'financial planner/adviser'....

Accounting

Accountant to stand trial on 30 criminal charges

LGH Holdings director and accountant Mark Ronald Letten will stand trial on more than 30 criminal charges in relation to property holdings and development of real propert...