IFSA calls for wide-ranging reforms
23 June 2008
Australian financial services legislation is limiting business efficiency, has failed to keep pace with market developments and is distorting industry and consumer behaviour…
Life Insurance
New Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman announced
23 June 2008
Philip Field will replace Colin Neave as Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman within the new Financial Ombudsman Service...
FPA launches life risk course for planners
23 June 2008
The Financial Planning Association is expecting thousands of financial planners to sign up to its new educational program on life risk...
Spending spree sees planner shake-up
23 June 2008
More than $17 billion of funds under advice has changed hands in the past six months, according to analyst Rainmaker Research...
FPA receives thumbs up
16 June 2008
The Financial Planning Association has received a resounding vote of approval from its members, with almost two-thirds saying the association has lifted its game…
ANZIIF opens up membership
16 June 2008
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance is opening up full membership to financial services professionals who hold Tier I compliance qualifications...
Chinese regulators open capital floodgates
16 June 2008
China’s decision to recognise Australia as an approved destination under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor scheme is good news for local financial services companies…
FPA secures new PI service for members
10 June 2008
The Financial Planning Association has revealed the details of its new professional indemnity insurance service designed to take pressure off its members...
Financial literacy set to ease insurance skills crisis
10 June 2008
A new package of support materials and resources to help teachers deliver consumer and financial literacy education in schools has been praised by industry leaders...
Axa swaps annuities for Challenger advisers
10 June 2008
Axa Asia Pacific Holdings has swapped its $1.3 billion annuity portfolio for Challenger Financial Services’ planning business in a deal costing Axa a net $100 million...
Solid half year for Tower Australia
02 June 2008
Tower Australia has booked an 81% increase in half-year net profit to $30.9 million, which it attributes to a growing life insurance market expected to treble by 2017...
… as Tower NZ fights partial takeover
02 June 2008
Tower Limited has advised shareholders not to accept a partial takeover offer from investment company Guinness Peat Group because the price is too low...
Departments seek simpler super advice
02 June 2008
The Federal Government’s Financial Services Working Group has released a consultation paper outlining key steps to cut the red tape on disclosure documents...
FPA checks planners’ methods
02 June 2008
The Financial Planning Association is investigating margin loan sales practices...
Tower NZ in good health
26 May 2008
Tower Limited has posted a half-year net profit of $NZ19.9 million ($16.3 million) with a bold showing across its insurance portfolio...
Sherry warns industry on super advice, documentation
26 May 2008
The financial services industry needs to remove barriers to the provision of superannuation advice, says Superannuation Minister Nick Sherry...
PI deadline not an issue for FPA members
19 May 2008
The July 1 deadline for all financial services licensees to have “adequate” professional indemnity insurance isn’t worrying the Financial Planning Association...
AMP tightens belt
19 May 2008
AMP has announced it will put capital management plans on hold and may cut future dividend payments as uncertain markets bite into company income...
SMEs get free super assistance
19 May 2008
The Government’s new superannuation clearing house will be free for small-to-medium business enterprises...
Financial advice industry faces 'crisis of confidence'
19 May 2008
Nearly 80% of Australians believe commission payments to financial advisers compromise the integrity of their advice, according to a new national survey...