CommSec: extended retail slump; building approvals rebound

From

Building Approvals; Retail trade Council approvals to build new homes rose by 9.1 per cent in March after sliding by a revised 5.3 per cent in the prior month. In

continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning May 8 2011

From

The big picture During the year, the spotlight is rarely thrown on the Federal Government’s Budget position. Certainly there is the handing down of the annual budget statement in May and

continue reading

BetaShares launches Australia’s first hedged gold ETF

From

First hedged gold ETF ASX code: QAU Investors can now access pure exposure to gold as easily as buying any share ETF physically backed by gold bullion ETF currency hedged

continue reading

Smart phone apps: the next big thing for member engagement

From

Growing demand for specialised apps for super, wealth management Specialised smart phone and iPad applications (“apps”) are the next big thing in the financial services industry, according to Rice Warner

continue reading

Top quality outsourcing solutions needed for advisers

From

To achieve economies of scale dealer groups are rapidly expanding via acquisition ASIC is targeting aggregator licensees to ensure they maintain advice quality Strategy Steps is meeting growing demand for

continue reading

Is the war over? Advisers and AustralianSuper trial a new approach

From

AustralianSuper flags a revolution in advice with adviser panel trial results In a statement likely to have lasting implications for the financial advice and superannuation industries, AustralianSuper today declared that

continue reading

Count positive on and ready for FoFA changes

From

Leading accountant-based financial planning network Count Financial Limited (Count) said today it is well positioned with regards to the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms. Given the professional background of

continue reading

AMP responds to Future of Financial Advice reforms

From

AMP has announced its support of the Government’s intention to introduce a fiduciary-like obligation on all financial planners and advisers across the industry, requiring them to put their clients’ interests first. x

continue reading

FPA to examine fine detail of FoFA reform package

From

Consumers, professionals deserve absolute clarity on full impact of Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms X The Financial Planning Association (FPA) says a detailed examination of the Future of Financial

continue reading

Risking Everything: AFA Calls on Minister Shorten to Do the Maths

From

New consumer research reveals tampering with life insurance commissions could mean consumers risk everything Initial findings from Risking Everything – the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA)’s third tranche of research

continue reading