Double jeopardy – or once bitten

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Six of us sat down to lunch the other day. Three men and three women and suddenly talk of marriage came up and we realised that three of those in... Read more continue reading
03 Dec 2010

Financial planning going to market

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Financial planning is going to market – on screens, in newspapers and on radio – and the message will be that consumers need a plan and financial planners are professionals.... Read more continue reading
29 Nov 2010

Response to the FPA’s proposed changes

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So, the FPA has announced big changes to their membership structure and professional standards and I have to say this is good start to the reforms that have been needed... Read more continue reading
25 Nov 2010

Women still doing it tough in financial services

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Women are still doing it tough in financial services. I attended two seminars this week focusing on managing women’s careers and the messages remained very similar. Things haven’t changed since... Read more continue reading
17 Nov 2010

Investing responsibly

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Investors like to make money and for many years, the companies yielding the best returns may not have always been responsible corporate citizens. History is littered with shining examples of... Read more continue reading
16 Nov 2010

So what really is ‘Best Practice’?

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While the Australian financial services sector is huge in monetary terms, it is substantially influenced by a relatively small number of larger players (product manufacturers, platform providers and dealers alike),... Read more continue reading
12 Nov 2010

Australia’s “wall of money” towers over traditional yield managers

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A $70 billion flood of post-GFC cash into bank term deposits in 2008-9 – termed the ‘wall of money” has cast a long shadow over traditional fixed income, mortgage and... Read more continue reading
08 Nov 2010

Ramifications of the proposed FOFA changes to advice

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Greetings Thanks for the feedback on the AFA advertising initiative. Like many practioners I am trying to work through the potential ramifications of the proposed FOFA changes to advice. While... Read more continue reading
08 Nov 2010

Learn the lessons of 2010 to build wealth in 2011 says leading technical expert Strategy Steps

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Spread the risk between Australian and international shares Generate income safely while managing longevity risk Return to gearing but be responsible Avoid ATO penalties while maximising super contribution strategies Avoid... Read more continue reading
04 Nov 2010

How do you move beyond “vanilla” investments in an SMSF?

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As SMSF trustees and advisers become more familiar with the flexibility of the SMSF structure, attention is being focused on just what different types of assets can be used within... Read more continue reading
03 Nov 2010