Advisers reach for the tablets
20 July 2015
Touch-screen devices such as tablets are increasingly prevalent in financial advice businesses, according to new research from Investment Trends…
Life Insurance
Advisers raise their game on client relationships
13 July 2015
Adviser practices have become better at maintaining client relationships, with most utilising computer-based systems, a Business Health survey has found…
Too soon to judge life insurance reforms: S&P
13 July 2015
Standard & Poor’s says it is too early to predict what impact proposed life insurance industry reforms will have…
Ex-Macquarie life adviser hit with four-year ban
13 July 2015
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has banned a Macquarie-affiliated life insurance adviser for four years, for lacking the proper qualifications and failing to comply with financial services laws…
TAL rolls out adviser support initiatives
13 July 2015
TAL will introduce a quicker way to upgrade cover next month, as part of a new support package for advisers facing reduced revenue…
FPA hands out latest Gwen Fletcher award
13 July 2015
The Financial Planning Association has named John Moran from Apt Wealth Partners as winner of its third Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award…
FSC slams ‘distortionary and inefficient’ stamp duty
06 July 2015
The Financial Services Council has called for the abolition of state stamp duties on life insurance…
Synchron finds ‘no evidence’ of churn culture
06 July 2015
Synchron director Don Trapnell says his research shows little evidence of the practice among advisers…
Life underinsurance gap closes
06 July 2015
The rate of life underinsurance has reduced thanks to cover in super funds, but the problem is not going away, Rice Warner CEO Michael Rice says…
FPA hails CFP ad campaign
06 July 2015
The Financial Planning Association claims to have reached 4.8 million consumers with a 10-week advertising campaign promoting Certified Financial Planners…
Corporate super specialists rebrand
06 July 2015
The Corporate Super Specialist Alliance has changed its name to Workplace Super Specialists Australia…
FPA, Griffith University introduce online journal
06 July 2015
The Financial Planning Association and Griffith Business School will co-publish an online academic financial planning journal as part of efforts to improve research and standards in the industry…
State Street regional head joins FSC board
06 July 2015
State Street Global Advisors’ Head of Asia-Pacific Lochiel Crafter has been elected to the Financial Services Council board…
Suncorp Life chief steps down
29 June 2015
Suncorp Life CEO Geoff Summerhayes will leave his position on September 30, to be replaced by Vero New Zealand CEO Gary Dransfield on an interim basis…
Industry proposes end to high upfront commissions
29 June 2015
Financial advisers will be weaned off large upfront commissions in the next three years under proposals agreed by the main industry associations…
Industry hails life reforms, but critics worried
29 June 2015
Reactions to the Life Insurance Framework, as proposed industry reforms have been labelled, follow traditional lines, with industry super funds arguing they do not go far enough…
Australian Unity advisers switch to hybrid model
29 June 2015
Australian Unity advisers will work under a new remuneration regime from Wednesday, offering life insurance policies using only hybrid or level commissions…
Senate rejects royal commission on industry
29 June 2015
A move by Greens senators to set up a royal commission on the financial services industry has been defeated after Labor members voted with the Government…
Hood Sweeney promotes new MD from within
29 June 2015
Financial services business Hood Sweeney has appointed Chris Stewart as MD to replace Matthew Rowe, who is leaving to study at Harvard Business School…
Lump sum lapse rates continue downward trend
22 June 2015
Industry lapse rates for individual lump sum life insurance fell to 14.6% in the year to March 31 from 15.6% the previous year, according to the latest data from Dexx&r…