financial advisers

Life/Risk

Improving consumer demand and sales volumes have bolstered life/risk adviser sentiment, according to the latest Zurich index....

Financial planning

Cost main barrier to advice take-up

It used to be poor perception, but new research suggests the reasons for low take-up of financial advice are changing....

Financial planning

Protections needed on complex product sales

IOSCO recommends protections for investors who are direct-sold complex financial products....

Financial planning

Baby boomers shun advice, seek DIY finance

Many baby boomers would prefer to handle their own affairs, according to a new superannuation survey....

Superannuation

SPAA points to an active year for SMSFs

This year is set to be one like no other for self-managed super fund (SMSF) advisers, according to the SMSF Professionals' Association of Australia (SPAA)....

Editorial

Is FOFA leaving too much to chance?

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....

Life/Risk

What are the alternatives to risk commissions?

Risk commissions paid to advisers have been under attack for some time. If they were to be completely eliminated, however, what would be a viable alternative? Col Fullaga...

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

PhillipCapital comes to Australia

Following its launch last year, broking and advisory firm Octa Phillip Financial Group has been rebranded as PhillipCapital in line with the commencement of its parent co...

Financial planning

MLC tackles client engagement issues

Engaging inactive clients will be one of the biggest challenges facing financial advisers in the post-FOFA world, according to executive general manager of advice and mar...

Financial planning

Financial services mergers and acquisitions plummet

Mergers and acquisitions in the financial services sector declined by 63.7 per cent from 2011 to 2012....

Financial planning

RI Advice to disclose commissions from 1 July

RI Advice will voluntarily include commissions in its fee disclosure statements, according to the licensee's head of practice development Peter Ornsby....

Financial planning

Advisers told not to overstep the mark on social media

Social media may help to build strong professional relationships - but it is crucial for financial advisers to have in place an online strategy to avoid overstepping pers...