While Australian shares have rebounded strongly since the Global Financial Crisis, investors have yet to re-enter the market enthusiastically, putting solid gains at risk. ... read more »
Not-so-secret benefactors have given the industry new fixed-income ETFs, which will help build the sector's assets to an even greater level and open up opportunities for education and model portfolios.... read more »
The margin lending market has contracted further recently, amid continued investor negativity and volatile share markets. However, product manufacturers are moving to remedy the perceived issues with their products. ... read more »
Guaranteed-income products such as annuities have long been out of favour with Australian investors, but as retirees grapple with the reality of the cost of their own longevity, secure income strategies are set to become the new flavour of the month.... read more »
With the end of the financial year looming, financial advisers should be thinking about their clients' tax strategies, especially as a number of tax breaks will cease on 1 July and significant changes are on the horizon.... read more »
Now is the perfect time for Australian investors to invest in international equities to diversify their portfolios away from domestic stocks. ... read more »
TPD has been battered by trauma and income protection, but the traditional protection against life's worst tragedies still has a role to play. ... read more »
While very few in the industry would argue against the introduction of a best interests duty, there is robust debate about how to define it and its ultimate impact on the ability of advisers to deliver scalable advice. ... read more »
Confusion, costs, complaints - as far as the financial services industry is concerned, there isn't much good to say about the consequences of implementing FOFA's opt-in advice clause. But like it or not, experts say the odds are opt-in - unpopular as it is - is here to stay. ... read more »
In these volatile times, the rolling dice of uncertainty continues to keep self-managed super fund (SMSF) advisers on their toes. Changes are on the horizon and advisers are being warned that if they want to keep ahead of the game, they need to adapt their roles to remain competitive.... read more »
Unclear regulations, continued market volatility and cost-conscious investors are making a historic impact on financial advisers, which will consequently pummel platform providers. ... read more »
In these gloomy times, there is no magic recipe for asset allocation. Any way you slice it, cash is what investors want, but diversification is what they need. ... read more »
This year about 255,000 baby boomers will reach retirement age, but many will not have had compulsory super for the first 20 years of their life. Other challenges facing advisers this year will be client retention, bedding down reform in the shape of the Future of Financial Advice, lead generation and efficiency. ... read more »
Despite the seemingly endless storms raging over the financial advice sector in 2011 and battering a number of dealer groups, some firms have boosted their financial planner ranks in a tumultuous year. ... read more »
Australian real estate investment trusts continue to struggle, but property trusts ae now trying to reinvent themselves to attract investors. Samantha Hodge reports.... read more »
Where there's a will, there's a way, as the saying goes. But a rise in challenges to wills means will makers need to take a number of extra steps to try and ensure their wills are watertight, writes Jessica Gadd.... read more »
Talked about as a win-win-win for investors, advisers and corporates alike, hybrid securities are not regarded as the sure thing they once were. Fiona Harris reports.... read more »
IFA asked five leading practice management professionals to outline the most cost-effective ways for businesses to adopt the key changes under the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms. Specifically, the brief was how to maximise profits while meeting the new requirements. FIONA HARRIS reports. ... read more »
In a world exclusive, JEFFREY S YOUNG*, Steve Jobs' first biographer, writes with unique insight about how investors should be viewing Apple stock and what lessons can be applied to other investment dilemmas. ... read more »
Consumers are being told that the expansion of scaled or limited advice as part of the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms will address many of the concerns they have about the financial planning industry, FIONA HARRIS writes. ... read more »
The soaring popularity of cash has sparked a wave of product and functionality innovation among platform providers in Australia, with promises of more cutting-edge advancements to come. Vishal Teckchandani reports. ... read more »
Poised to become a principal or partner for the first time? Equip yourself for a successful handover with the following transitioning tools. Written by JESSICA GADD.... read more »
Despite a multitude of environmental reasons that favour the development of referral alliances with financial planners, there is still hesitation on both sides to form a relationship, writes FIONA HARRIS.... read more »
The advice industry is about to embark on two significant advertising campaigns, the likes of which the industry has never seen before. FIONA HARRIS speaks with various camps in the battle.... read more »
Australia's risk insurance sector has experienced many highs and lows in the past 18 months, none more so than in August this year. However, as Kate Kachor discovers, the sector is keen to push past reform challenges.
Asia's economic growth is set to power ahead, despite recent financial market volatility. But even though the region shows signs of strength, there are as many risks as there are opportunities. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
Amid a string of international debit concerns, many industry commentators believe investors are at risk of viewing emerging markets as a safer option than perhaps they are. Fiona Harris reports.... read more »
Australia's financial services industry has spent the past 12 months with government reform hanging over it. As the weeks count down until the spring sitting of Parliament and the long-awaited delivery of the FOFA draft legislation, participants in the platform space reflect on the prospect of opt-in and the banning of volume rebates becoming a reality. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
In the post-global financial crisis (GFC) environment, hedge fund managers are keen to set the record straight. As Fiona Harris discovers, despite some high-profile falls from grace, all hedge fund managers have been tarnished with the same brush. ... read more »
In an effort to address the problems individuals and SMSF trustees in particular are having adhering to the reduced contributions caps, the federal government has introduced two relief measures. But as Karin Derkley reports, the issue is far from over.... read more »
Australia's privately-owned dealer group market is at risk of diminishing in light of government reforms and subsequent consolidation. Kate Kachor speaks with a number of industry participants on what reforms will mean for them and their multi-billion-dollar advice industry.... read more »
Financial planners face a legislative ban on commissions in favour of fee-based revenue. With scant detail and a deadline around the corner, advisers must decide quickly whether to remain sales agents or become agents of change. Victoria Tait reports. ... read more »
Now is the right time for investors to re-engage with the property industry. Fiona Harris spoke with a number of property experts about their views of the sector.... read more »
Australia's long stretch of economic growth and stable employment, combined with recent market uncertainty, has led a growing number of high net worth investors to seek advice, but the pool of advisers qualified to guide them is too small. Victoria Tait reports. ... read more »
Scale has long been viewed as a remedy to planning businesses' aches and pains. Fiona Harris examines the state of play in industry growth. ... read more »
Amid government reforms, the restrictions of Australia's professional indemnity insurance are proving to have a larger impact on the shape of the country's financial advice than regulation, reports Fiona Harris.... read more »
Boutique fund managers leave the secure backing of big organisations to set up their own shop. From getting ratings to winning mandates, challenges abound, but they take on a different complexion when the hand that pays you is your own. Victoria Tait reports.... read more »
In 2008, Australia's financial services sector was in a state of flux. The GFC had resulted in frozen salaries and the disappearance of bonuses, with those in gainful employment considered the lucky ones. Three years later, the fog has lifted and a renewed level of positivity has emerged, with bonuses back on the negotiation table and employers exploring new incentives to keep the top performers. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
Shares of big multinational companies may be a good long-term bet for investors as these firms boost their presence in emerging markets and their dominance allows them to pass on costs to beat inflation. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
Uncertainty and apprehension may be stagnating consolidation activity in the financial planning industry, but it is not stopping advisers from asking the perennial question - what if? Fiona Harris reports.... read more »
Since the global financial crisis, Australia's margin lending sector has been operating in a new world. Kate Kachor speaks with a number of margin lenders about their views on regulatory change, market perception and investor appetite.... read more »
The Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms could erase $1 billion in risk insurance commissions from Australia's advice industry. Industry participants say the proposed commission ban could pose a risk to business and jobs, but the cost of underinsurance is higher still. Victoria Tait reports.
In the wake of the federal government's final announcement on FOFA, IFA examines the key reform changes and what they will mean for Australia's financial services industry.
With just 15 months until the FOFA reforms emerge, planning businesses are beefing up their resources and staffers to get FOFA-ready. Fiona Harris speaks with industry participants about their own planning.... read more »
Successfully tapping into the gen Y market could help practices secure a growing income stream and future proof the business. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
Change in investor attitudes has led Australia's financial planning industry to shift gear to a new level of advice service to not only cater to the needs of savvier clients but also to counter rivals. Kate Kachor speaks to a number of industry players about their views on how advice best practice has evolved.... read more »
The federal government's opt-in advice proposal has met with fierce opposition from all corners of the financial services sector. Victoria Papandrea talks to financial planners to find out their utmost fears of an opt-in regime and how it will impact on their businesses.... read more »
A number of new challenges have emerged for the insurance industry, taking the sector in a new direction and providing a number of opportunities among the potential threats. Fiona Harris reports. ... read more »
IFA asks tax experts Deloitte, HLB Mann Judd and the National Institute of Accountants to look at the best five tax strategies in the lead-up to end of the financial year for people's investment portfolios both inside and outside of superannuation.
With hiring activity increasing following the global financial crisis, but fewer new entrants joining the advice industry, Julie May discovers why more meticulous methods of recruitment are coming into play. ... read more »
The fiduciary duty proposal contained in the FOFA reforms has become the biggest sleeper issue facing the financial planning industry today. Yet, as Fiona Harris finds, it has real potential to shake the structural foundations of the advice sector.... read more »
The federal government's proposed expansion of intra-fund advice is not proving popular with the advice industry, with the financial planning sector just coming to terms with the measure as it currently stands. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The wait over the federal government's response to the Cooper review ended in December last year. Darin Tyson-Chan takes a look at some of the key points and finds out what impact they will have upon the operation of the sector.... read more »
The recent floods in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and Cyclone Yasi in north Queensland will have an impact on a range of sectors and stocks, Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
The coming year will provide the Australian equities market with a number of challenges. Vishal Teckchandani examines how these challenges will affect different sectors and what stocks fund managers expect to perform well. ... read more »
The financial planning industry is finally heading down the path towards increased professionalism. Victoria Papandrea finds out what the FPA's new qualifications mean for the various industry stakeholders.... read more »
As the industry undergoes another raft of legislative changes, Julie May discovers why financial planning software is fast becoming one of the keys to transitioning, recruiting and retaining advisers and supporting them in the years ahead.... read more »
AMP's Shane Oliver, BT's Chris Caton, MLC's Brian Parker, Praemium's Don Stammer and HSBC's Paul Bloxham share their views on the year ahead for the Australian share market, domestic economy, interest rates, currency and global economies.
IFA looks back at the major issues and events of the past 12 months, including the government rules and reforms, corporate collapses and legal stoushes, the high-profile executive departures and appointments, and merger and acquisition activity.
The industry has faced many challenges and changes in the past year. Kate Kachor spoke with a number of industry association chiefs about their views of the year gone by and what to expect in 2011.... read more »
Questions are being asked about whether gold is too risky to invest in now or is the greater risk not having any exposure to the precious metal? Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
Licensees are now more closely inspecting their approved product lists, with exotic and high-risk products and investment strategies in the spotlight. Victoria Papandrea reports.
Following the GFC, lead generation has taken a huge step forward for some businesses and has become a more structured and formalised process than ever before. Fiona Harris reports. ... read more »
The continued strength of the Australian economy has stirred debate about whether local investors are better off putting most of their money into Australian equities. However, not everyone thinks a strong economy means bumper returns and global stocks still have much to offer. Vishal Teckchandani reports. ... read more »
The ETF sector in Australia is set for strong growth, but the segment is likely to be sliced and diced as domestic and global fund managers jostle for a piece of the action. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The DIY super sector has been beset by issues and problems, such as how to profitably and cost-efficiently service the segment and how to adequately educate investors. Even the term, DIY super, has come under fire. Fiona Harris discovers it is time to dispel the myths about the sector and face up to some truths. ... read more »
Asian markets and economies are expected to continue their strong growth for some time to come, providing a number of compelling investment opportunities, particularly in China, India and Indonesia. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
In light of looming government reform, IFA brought together leading representatives of the platform and advice industry to discuss what impact change in regulation will have on the sector. Kate Kachor and Christine St Anne report.... read more »
While family offices are more widespread in Europe and the United States, they are gaining traction in Australia. Julie May examines why family offices have experienced rapid growth locally and what financial services companies are doing to support them.... read more »
The BRICs - Brazil, Russia, India and China - were hit hard by the global financial crisis, but now the turmoil is over, the BRICs are re-emerging as a force. Darin Tyson-Chan examines how the BRICs are performing and what the future holds for them.... read more »
More planners are servicing clients whose portfolios have been hit by frozen funds, failed investments and corporate collapses than ever before, yet the issue of best practice is both unclear and informal, Fiona Harris reports.... read more »
A number of significant issues have arisen in the past few years in terms of adviser liability. Halsey Legal Services' Mark Halsey examines five of those key issues.... read more »
With markets recovering, financial advisers are looking for better ways to invest clients' money, including the use of listed investment companies. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
Financial planning practices are looking at new ways to market themselves following the dramatic changes wrought by the global financial crisis. Fiona Harris examines how planning businesses are approaching marketing in 2010 and beyond.... read more »
While succession planning was shelved while businesses dealt with the impact of the global financial crisis, it is now back on the agenda. An effective succession plan can maximise the value of a business and at the same time ensure its survival. Julie May reports.... read more »
The accounting profession is slightly puzzled by several of the measures outlined in the Cooper review, with some potential reform duplicating regimes already in place. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
Contrary to popular belief, hedge funds could help reduce the risk in investment portfolios, but advisers are still constrained by access to good research to make proper use of these funds, Wouter Klijn reports.... read more »
As Australia awaits the call to the polling booths, concerns have been raised about what a change in government could mean for the country's financial services industry. Kate Kachor spoke with a number of the industry's leading participants to gauge their view on what an election could mean for proposed reforms.... read more »
Despite lacklustre performance, as Victoria Papandrea discovers, convincing investors of the attractiveness of property is one of the main challenges fund managers face at present.... read more »
Managed funds are set to boom in the next few years, according to industry experts. Vishal Teckchandani examines the reasons behind the shift towards this area of investment management.... read more »
Wealthy investors who survived the global financial crisis have emerged with renewed confidence, greater caution and higher expectations of the advice they receive. Julie May reports on high net worth investing in the current market environment.... read more »
The global financial crisis placed boutique fund managers under increased scrutiny. Those who came through the turmoil intact have been able to attract healthy fund inflows. Wouter Klijn reports.... read more »
The deadline for transitioning to a fee-for-service remuneration structure is 1 July 2012, meaning action is required now. Darin Tyson-Chan reports on what preparations are being made for the change and whether everything will be ready in time.... read more »
The PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) are in trouble and markets are worried that their governments are at the point of no return in terms of paying off their borrowings. Will the PIGS' debt woes be serious enough to dent the current economic rebound and cause another global recession? Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
As the prospect of a level playing field in terms of the provision of advice moves closer to becoming a reality, the retail financial planning and industry superannuation fund sectors are focusing on closing the advice gap. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
Financial advisers need to change their approach to generation Y if they are going to tap into the next generation of client. Julie May reports.... read more »
As M&A activity continues to pick up, financial services aggregators and large institutional dealer groups are sizing up the market to take advantage of potential growth opportunities. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The exchange-traded fund market is booming as advisers look for new avenues to channel client funds into equities. Darin Tyson-Chan and Vishal Teckchandani report.... read more »
IFA gathered a number of industry professionals for a life insurance roundtable to discuss where the sector is at following the GFC and where it is heading. With legislative changes pending, simplicity for advisers and flexibility for consumers remain top priorities to ensure consumer interest in insurance is retained. Darin Tyson-Chan and Julie May report.... read more »
After a decade of less-than-sparkling international equities returns, fund managers say there are indications the next 10 years will be positive for global stocks. Wouter Klijn reports.... read more »
It is nearly a year since the agribusiness sector was brought to its knees by the failure of Great Southern and Timbercorp. The mess created by the collapse of these two agribusiness giants is now being played out in the courts. Kate Kachor reports.... read more »
A lot of work is still needed to nail down education and professional standards for the financial advice sector, but industry bodies and licensees are striving hard to achieve this goal. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
With another financial year drawing to a close, IFA asked a number of experts in the industry to give us their preferred strategies to help achieve better tax management as well as their top five tax tips.
Capital protection has become a hot topic after many Australians had their savings savaged by the GFC. Capital-protected product providers tell IFA's capital protection roundtable that flexibility is the key to making these investment vehicles work. Victoria Papandrea and Wouter Klijn report.... read more »
Financial services companies are once again hiring and candidates are returning to the job market in droves following the global financial crisis. Julie May reports.... read more »
Margin lending has taken a battering from the global financial crisis and the collapse of Storm Financial. Kate Kachor and Vishal Teckchandani take a look at how the main players are faring and what new lending regulations mean for the industry. ... read more »
To what extent are financial planners to blame for investor losses as a result of recent corporate collapses and what are advisers' rights in these situations? Kate Kachor and Vishal Teckchandani report.... read more »
The SMSF sector has continued to perform strongly against its industry competitors and amid the turmoil from the global financial crisis. Now, a new statistical summary of the sector has provided a more in-depth picture of how the sector is travelling. Wouter Klijn, Julie May and Darin Tyson-Chan look at how the sector is doing and what's in store for 2010.... read more »
After a phenomenal bounce back in Australian equities last year, investors are wondering what to expect from the market in 2010. IFA's Vishal Teckchandani and Kate Kachor spoke to a number of the industry's leading fund managers about their forecast for the year ahead.... read more »
The hardened insurance market cycle has hit financial planners renewing their professional indemnity cover, but underwriters have also come under considerable pressure in recent years. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The GFC put cost savings at the top of many financial planning practices' agendas, however, this failed to translate into the uptake of low-cost advice software. Even so, market dominators IRESS and Coin are facing competition from niche players and cannot afford to take their eye of the ball. Wouter Klijn reports.... read more »
While confusion may reign for many regarding the right price for advice, work has begun to help Australia's advice sector start on a path to find answers, reports Kate Kachor.... read more »
Next year is tinged with some uncertainty about the level of recovery in the share market and the outcome of various parliamentary inquiries. Darin Tyson-Chan and Julie May take a look at what may be in store for 2010.... read more »
The turmoil of the past year wreaked havoc on Australia's financial services sector, with the collapse of investment firms, parliamentary inquiries and a concerted push to abandon commission-based fees. Kate Kachor and Wouter Klijn examine the events of 2009 and their impact on the investment environment.... read more »
The Ripoll inquiry has released its much-anticipated report into financial services and products in Australia. Vishal Teckchandani examines the parliamentary committee's recommendations, the industry's reaction and the report's findings on the collapse of Storm Financial.... read more »
For consumers, finding a financial adviser in the vast and variable pool of authorised representatives may be akin to looking for a needle in haystack. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
A decade on from its first issue, IFA marks the occasion by revisiting the top 10 issues, as nominated by the industry, impacting on the sector in that time. Three past editors of the magazine also look back on their time at the helm of the publication.
The global financial crisis (GFC) might not have thrown conventional investment wisdom out of the window, but it certainly has shaken its foundations and made many investors take a more cautious approach towards risk. The multi-manager approach has often been seen as one method of mitigating this factor.... read more »
Evidence is emerging that poor management, not bad advice, was behind the downfall of Great Southern and Timbercorp. Kate Kachor examines whether financial planners are among the victims of these agribusiness collapses.... read more »
The global financial crisis prompted many financial planners to consider offering life insurance and related risk products as part of a more holistic advice solution for clients. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
As a result of the global financial crisis, approved product lists could become more conservative in their recommendations. However, they are still likely to remain a relevant part of the overall advice process. Julie May reports.... read more »
A year ago, the collapse of financial services giant Lehman Brothers propelled the world's economies and markets into a full-blown crisis. Wouter Klijn examines the damage to Australia's financial services industry and looks at what the future may hold. ... read more »
The wisdom of investing in international equities has come under scrutiny in the wake of the global financial crisis. Vishal Teckchandani examines the pros and cons of investing in global shares.... read more »
The market downturn may have cut the number of referrals financial planning practices are receiving from existing clients, but there are a number of other sources an adviser can tap to generate new client leads, irrespective of the market climate. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The global financial crisis has put the need for practice principals to have a concrete succession plan well and truly in the spotlight. Julie May examines the importance of having a succession plan and the benefits it can bring to a practice.... read more »
The SMSF sector is building as a new and lucrative area for advisers to service. Darin Tyson-Chan looks at what financial advisers interested in the area need to look out for and what sort of advice needs to be provided.... read more »
The platform sector has largely withstood the negative impact of the global financial crisis, with the major operators reporting steady inflows during the downturn. Kate Kachor examines where to next for the platform market. ... read more »
A number of emerging market economies have weathered the global financial crisis and are tipped to come out of the turmoil with a vengeance. Investment experts are urging financial advisers to consider including this asset class in their investors' portfolios. Vishal Teckchandani reports.... read more »
While family offices have been popular in the United States and Europe for some time, this niche offering is now gaining a foothold in the Australian financial advice market. Victoria Papandrea reports.... read more »
The Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms could erase $1 billion in risk insurance commissions from Australia's advice industry. Industry participants say the proposed commission ban could pose a risk to business and jobs, but the cost of underinsurance is higher still. Victoria Tait reports. ... read more »
The proposed banning of commissions on risk within super has no doubt sent a shudder through the insurance industry. Vishal Teckchandani speaks to a number of industry participants on the potential impacts of the reform and how businesses could adapt.... read more »
With the end of the financial year approaching, the inevitable question about tax strategies will be raised. What you live and retire on reflects the after-tax returns on your investments, including your superannuation, not your pre-tax ones. ... read more »
Before the end of the tax year, financial advisers may find it useful to help their clients check their overall financial situation, including probable tax liabilities, and make sure they are able to claim all relevant deductions.... read more »
One should not invest solely to obtain a tax benefit. The tax-driven agricultural investment schemes that once littered the investment landscape are testimony to this. Tax should never be the driver of investment decisions, however, there are tax strategies one should consider as part of their wealth creation planning. Below are some tax planning ideas that could be considered, depending on the circumstances of individuals.... read more »
Globally, conditions have improved in recent months, largely driven by strong growth in Asia, which is particularly important for Australia.... read more »
