Life insurance gaps identified
24 August 2004
Australian families are woefully underinsured when it comes to life insurance, says Swiss Re’s prestigious Sigma Report…
Life Insurance
New conciliation process for industry complaints service
17 August 2004
The Financial Industry Complaints Service (FICS) has launched a new conciliation process in response to the findings of an independent review released earlier this year…
Independent chair for FPA
17 August 2004
The new Chairwoman of the Financial Planning Association, Kathryn Greiner, is the first person unrelated to the industry to hold the position…
Financial services gets a rap
10 August 2004
The financial services industry has conflicts of interest that undermine trust because they affect the quality of advice and products, according to Australian Consumers Association…
Australian financial services match international standards
10 August 2004
The Federal Government’s goal of having Australia recognised as a hub for financial services isn’t far off, according to a study by McKinsey…
IFSA award winners announced
10 August 2004
Winners of the inaugural IFSA industry awards were announced last week by Assistant Treasurer Mal Brough…
Planners bid farewell to perks
03 August 2004
There will be no more free overseas holidays, cars and other “soft-dollar” perks for planners…
Life underinsurance at alarming levels
03 August 2004
On average, Australians hold just under 29% of the life insurance they need, according to Axa Australia…
Comings and goings at FPA
27 July 2004
It’s been a bit like musical chairs at the FPA recently. Last week one senior staffer stepped down, another quit and there were two new executive appointments…
Education changes for FPA
20 July 2004
The Financial Planning Association, the peak body supporting financial planners, has appointed Tribeca Learning to handle its education services…
Assistance for fraud victims
13 July 2004
The Federal Government might be dragging its heels on the subject of a policyholder protection scheme for general insurance, but it will improve access to financial assistance…
Life is fine, says industry
06 July 2004
The Australian life insurance industry is looking a lot healthier than it has for some years, with Investment and Financial Services Association CEO Richard Gilbert…
New faces at FPA
29 June 2004
After almost two years of turmoil and negative media attention, the Financial Planning Association has appointed two new executives to plug some gaps left…
Industry panel to curb bad planning
29 June 2004
ASIC has teamed up with the FPA, NIBA and other three industry groups in a bid to change the way financial planners are recruited…
Senate passes super reforms
22 June 2004
The Federal Government has pushed through new laws on the disclosure of fees and charges levied by superannuation funds…
Planners’ perks in the firing line again
16 June 2004
Financial planners’ soft commissions – including overseas holidays, cash payments and cars – are under fire again…
ACCC should prosecute planners, says AIA
16 June 2004
The Australian Investors’ Association (AIA) has launched a scathing attack on financial planners following the release of the ASIC report…
Standard & Poor’s tips better times
08 June 2004
Australia’s life insurance industry is recovering from a long stint in the doldrums, Standard & Poor’s saying an improved operating environment will lead to sound earnings this year…
Consumer group attacks planners
08 June 2004
Financial planners’ training places too much focus on product knowledge rather than skills such as communicating effectively with clients…
New super model tipped to boost retirement savings
01 June 2004
About 40% of people earning between $30,000 and $50,000 would benefit from talking up the Commonwealth’s proposed $3 for $2 co-contribution super arrangements if implemented…