Ombudsman merger ‘more than a branding exercise’
25 August 2008
The Financial Ombudsman Service has released an issues paper to help formulate its terms of reference before they go to ASIC for approval...
Life Insurance
Turnbull calls for insurance tax action
25 August 2008
State insurance taxes are aggravating Australia’s underinsurance problem, Shadow Treasurer Malcolm Turnbull told the Association of Financial Advisers last week...
IFSA heads underinsurance battle
18 August 2008
The Investment and Financial Services Association has announced a campaign to tackle Australia’s life underinsurance epidemic...
Retirees continue to struggle to meet costs
18 August 2008
Higher food and petrol prices are taking their toll on retirees’ budgets with inflation driving up the cost of a comfortable living...
FPA revisits professional development standards
18 August 2008
The Financial Planning Association has released a new draft policy on continuing professional development that aims to give members a more rounded financial education...
St George ditches Tower for AIG Life
11 August 2008
St George Bank has replaced Tower Australia with AIG Life as its new life insurance partner...
GPG sells stake in Tower Australia
11 August 2008
Japanese life insurer Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company made its first foray into the Australian insurance market last week acquiring a 29.7% stake in Tower Australia...
Baby boomers short of super
11 August 2008
Australia’s baby boomers aren’t properly prepared for the financial demands of life beyond retirement, a new study has found...
ASIC outlines response to financial market turmoil
11 August 2008
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has revealed a five-point agenda to respond to current investment market turmoil...
ANZIIF forms life and super advisory committee
04 August 2008
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance has launched an advisory committee to support professional development in the life insurance and super industry...
Aviva Australia new business up, inflows down
04 August 2008
Aviva Australia has reported increased new business in the second quarter, despite a 49% first-half dip in net fund inflows...
Axa makes two senior appointments in Asia
04 August 2008
Axa Asia Pacific has appointed two senior executives to its Asia Life team...
Aussies fail the financial health test
28 July 2008
Prudent risk control isn’t a strong suit among everyday Australians, a report by the Commonwealth Bank reveals...
NZ qualification may link with Australia’s
28 July 2008
NZ’s first national qualification for the financial services sector is likely to be recognised in Australia...
Finsia seeks young financial talent
28 July 2008
The Financial Services Institute of Australasia is stepping up efforts to attract new talent to the financial services industry...
Lawyers attack ‘inconsistent’ group life decisions
28 July 2008
Lawyers have criticised group life insurance policy terms as inconsistent following contrary judgements in Australian courts...
FPA urges caution as super funds erode
28 July 2008
With superannuation funds starting to erode for the first time in years, the Financial Planning Association has urged fund customers not to panic...
FPA: financial services reform demands change to legislation
21 July 2008
The FPA has called on the Federal Government to amend legislation to reduce the cost and complexity of financial advice...
Short form disclosure statements released
21 July 2008
The Federal Government has taken a small step toward its goal of eliminating red tape in the financial services sector by releasing a short form disclosure template...
Super dominates the life business
21 July 2008
Superannuation business continues to dominate the life insurance market, with APRA’s latest statistics showing super accounted for 90.6% of policy payments during the March quarter…