platforms

Financial planning

Westpac Group believes the worst may be behind it, registering a stronger quarter with growth across home lending and on the BT Wrap and Asgard platforms....

Financial planning

Client assessment required for switch to new fee structures

Independent financial planning practices concerned about moving away from a commission-based fee structure should speak to clients individually to work out a case-by-case...

Financial planning

ACCC concerned about NAB bid for AXA AP

The ACCC has raised concerns about NAB's bid for AXA Asia Pacific, focusing on the platform market....

Financial planning

ACCC to release report on AMP bid for AXA AP

The ACCC will release its findings on AMP’s now defunct bid for AXA AP today. The report is expected to give an indication of the areas of concern that may affect the NAB...

Financial planning

ACCC focuses on implications of NAB bid for AXA

While AMP has formally acknowledged the end to its initial strategy to acquire AXA Asia Pacific, the competition regulator is reported to be examining the platform market...

Editorial

The trouble with life insurers not keeping up with industry changes

With many in the life insurance industry falling behind or struggling to keep up, Brett Yardley looks at some of the changes that have or are about to occur....

Financial planning

AMP in no hurry to up bid, says analyst

AMP is in no rush to up its bid for AXA Asia Pacific, according to a Credit Suisse analyst....

Editorial

The implications of financial planning industry consolidation

Large institutions view the global financial crisis-inspired period of regulatory review and change as a chance to buy distribution and platforms cheaply and to position ...

Editorial

Why financial planners need a fiduciary duty

Tom Collins argues the introduction of a fiduciary duty for financial advisers is overdue. ...

Editorial

A guide to the Ripoll Inquiry recommendations and their likely impact

Bryan Ashenden takes a look at the far-reaching impact the recommendations of the Ripoll Inquiry could have on the financial services industry....

Editorial

Banks tighten grip on platforms market

While much of the debate around NAB/MLC’s acquisition of AXA Asia Pacific has focused on who controls which dealer group, Mike Taylor argues that control of the platforms...

Financial planning

Banks carve up platform market

Control of the Australian platform market has nearly halved in the past four years to be dominated by three of the nation's big four banks, a situation that would be exac...

Financial planning

Court decision casts doubt on Adviser Service Fees

Recent action in the NSW Supreme Court over the status of Adviser Service Fees when authorised representatives change licensees appears to have raised more questions than...

Editorial

Challenges loom for financial services

This year promises to be interesting year for the entire financial services industry, writes Jim Minto....

People & Products

MLC appoints new GM for MasterKey

MLC has appointed Dean Thomas as the general manager of its MasterKey investment platform, where he will be responsible for managing and developing the suite of investmen...