Tower stays the course
15 February 2010
Investment in technology and a simplified business model are the key objectives for life insurer Tower Australia in the coming year, shareholders were told at last week’s AGM…
Life Insurance
Analysts say life is on the up
15 February 2010
The life insurance industry has emerged from the doldrums to face strong growth prospects in the next five years, according to Ibisworld analysts…
Axa tussle enters new round
08 February 2010
The battle for Axa Asia Pacific Holdings’ Australasian businesses enters a new phase this week after AMP’s exclusivity agreement with the French parent company…
Lombardo gets nod from NAB
08 February 2010
The head of the National Australia Bank’s new retail insurance division has been announced.…
Life risk a boon for insurers
01 February 2010
Australia’s appetite for life risk products such as death, income protection and mortgage insurance grew strongly in the year to September 30, with premium inflows up…
Life insurers report good profit growth
01 February 2010
Life insurers have made some decent strides over the past year, according to new figures from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority…
Tower reports improved results
01 February 2010
Tower Australia has recorded a 19% rise in inforce risk premium for the December quarter, due in part to a windfall superannuation appointment…
CBA to capitalise on China life prospects
01 February 2010
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has announced a new life joint venture partnership in China after regulators allowed the first local bank to enter the market…
Average death and disability claim revealed
14 December 2009
The largest ever analysis of death and disability claims in Australia has revealed an average payout of little more than $130,000…
Planners slow on the risk uptake, says survey
14 December 2009
Financial planners could be doing more to advise clients on risk, a survey by research agency Investment Trends has revealed…
Life scholarship winner named
14 December 2009
Tower Australia Technical Product Manager Gavin Lai has been named winner of this year’s Australian Life Underwriters and Claims Association TurksLegal Scholarship…
AFA doubles membership in four years
14 December 2009
The Association of Financial Advisers has doubled its membership within four years, after its ranks grew by 26% this year to reach 1470 affiliates…
Life expectancy gap narrows
07 December 2009
The gap in life expectancy between Australian men and women has reached the lowest point in more than 50 years, according to actuarial research on mortality…
Firms invest in IT risk management: PWC
07 December 2009
Global financial services firms are prepared to pour big money into information security in a bid to strengthen risk management, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers research…
Citigroup in firing line over phone sales practices
07 December 2009
Citigroup says it has ironed out problems with telephone sales of its credit card insurance that came under the gaze of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission…
Ripoll inquiry wins adviser group support
30 November 2009
The Investment and Financial Services Association, the Financial Planning Association and the Association of Financial Advisers have welcomed the bulk of the Ripoll Inquiry’s…
Social disability insurance scheme mooted
30 November 2009
The Productivity Commission will consider the introduction of a social insurance scheme to cover long-term care and support for the disabled…
Advisory groups back new standards board
30 November 2009
Adviser groups have backed a parliamentary committee recommendation to introduce an independent industry professional standards body…
Insurance off the FPA fee agenda – for now
23 November 2009
The Financial Planning Association says further investigation is required before risk insurance products can be considered for inclusion in its new fee-for-service model…
Bowen urges move away from commissions
23 November 2009
The move away from commissions in the financial services sector will improve transparency for consumers, according to Financial Services Minister Chris Bowen…