Casting mortgages in a new light

From

Contributory mortgage funds have addressed the problems which have affected the pooled mortgage funds of the past, and offer excellent income opportunities for investors, said Roy Prasad, head of mortgages... Read more continue reading

Technology challenges uppermost in minds of Australian super funds

From

Australian super funds plan to substantially increase their spend on technology in 2016 as funds grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological change, according to Australia’s leading... Read more continue reading

Simplicity, affordability and sustainability: Zurich reduces Term & TPD rates and unveils new Income Protection products

From

Zurich Financial Services Australia (Zurich) yesterday announced a number of changes to its retail life insurance offering, designed to help advisers position themselves for the forthcoming Life Insurance Framework (LIF) transition,... Read more continue reading

1,000 advisers join AIA Australia’s transition to hybrid program

From

Leading life insurer AIA Australia yesterday announced that more than 1,000 advisers have now signed on to its popular transition to hybrid program, supporting them as they transition to the new... Read more continue reading

Christmas cheer returns to markets with Asia and Europe in the spotlight

From

Traditional Christmas rally in equities has begun with a reversal of the sell-off from two weeks ago, despite the horrific attacks that took place in Paris and subsequent terrorism-related events,... Read more continue reading

MLC launches rate cuts for life and TPD insurance premiums

From

MLC Insurance yesterday announced it will cut premiums for two of its key life insurance products by up to 15 per cent, effective yesterday. David Hackett, Executive General Manager, Insurance, said... Read more continue reading

Yuan’s reserve currency status: The door to China swings open

From

Inclusion of the Chinese yuan in the IMF’s basket of reserve currencies, expected to be approved at the end of this month, heralds China’s increasing presence in global capital markets.... Read more continue reading

Focus on delayed annuity purchase could be key to successful retirement planning

From

A potential solution to one of the Australian superannuation industry’s biggest challenges—helping plan members make the transition to retirement—may lie partly in designing a process to enable members to effect... Read more continue reading

The price of climate change: global warming’s impact on portfolios

From

Climate change is gaining traction as a global policy initiative, a key risk factor and an emerging investment theme, according to the BlackRock Investment Institute (BII) Australian strategist, Steve Miller.... Read more continue reading

Elder abuse: Planners need to recognise the warning signs

From

Changes in your elderly client’s personality, an indication that the client is becoming increasingly reliant on others, or seeing other people increasingly speaking on behalf of your elderly client and... Read more continue reading