Royal Commission

Life/Risk

Major life insurer TAL has been taken to court by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on charges relating to issues raised during the Royal Commission in...

Superannuation

SuperRatings to APRA on heatmaps – WHY?

The founder of one of Australia’s first dedicated superannuation fund research and ratings firms has suggested that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority should ...

Financial planning

AFCA gap gives banks ability to avoid liability

Businesses and farmers with facilities over $5 million are now in a worse financial position than parties with credit facilities under $5 million who are able to seek com...

Superannuation

Superannuation sector facing enforced consumer advocacy

The Government has moved to dilute what it sees as dominant industry voices by moving to put in place a consumer advocacy body for superannuation....

Financial planning

AFA seeks to move ahead of opt-in changes

Faced with unilateral action on the part of some superannuation funds, the Association of Financial Advisers has sought to move ahead of the Government’s 2020 legislative...

Policy & Regulation

Govt introduces legislation for 4 RC recommendations

The four recommendations being legislated relate to mortgage brokers, consumer protection, and insurance contracts....

Financial planning

FPA canvasses new licensing options

The Financial Planning Association is canvassing what the industry might look like over the next half-decade including whether a new licensing regime may evolve....

Financial planning

How much trust in AMP took a hit

AMP Limited has acknowledged the major hit taken to its public reputation but holds hopes that it can restore trust in around three years....

Superannuation

Where two big industry funds spent their money

Two of Australia’s largest industry superannuation funds have revealed how much money they spent on advertising and marketing, with AustralianSuper revealing that its con...

Financial planning

Banking ‘repair jobs’ largest wage increase

The Royal Commission has paved a way for wage increases at banks for professionals who can deliver on reforms and programs, a survey has found....

Policy & Regulation

Union funds benefit from ASIC Class Order

Questions have been raised about the appropriateness of an Australian Securities and Investments Commission class order which absolves worker entitlement funds run by tra...

Features

2019 – a year of uncertainty from beginning to end

Mike Taylor writes that 2019 proved challenging for the financial advice industry not least because of the Royal Commission and the Government’s determination to impleme...

Superannuation

No excuses left for super funds not to merge

Senator Jane Hume has sought to dispel myths and excuses trustees have used to avoid merging....

Financial planning

FASEA board accused of shunning industry

Questions are being asked about why the board of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority has avoided direct engagement with key industry groups for more than...

Policy & Regulation

Banks and financial services firms face trust issue

Banks and financial services firms have been revealed as having major consumer trust issues with new Roy Morgan research revealing that only Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and...