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…
Life Insurance
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…
Calling it quits: another senior staffer leaves the FPA
25 May 2004
The changes just keep coming for the peak body supporting Australian planners, the Financial Planning Association…
Funds bouncing back
25 May 2004
Research company Dexx&R says strong growth has been recorded in the superannuation industry in the 12 months to March…
NZ insurer gets one back from the Aussies
18 May 2004
New Zealand’s only locally owned insurer, Fidelity Life, is acquiring the established Lumley Life operation in NZ…
Axiss gets more money
18 May 2004
The Government has given Axiss Australia, the body it established in 1999 to push the country as a global financial services centre, an extra $7.6 million to continue its work…
Super changes go down well
18 May 2004
The Budget decision to boost the Federal Government’s co-contribution scheme for superannuation has been welcomed by the industry…
FPA switches education to consumers
11 May 2004
The Financial Planning Association, the peak body for Australia’s financial planners, has announced an initiative to improve the financial literacy of young Australians…
Aviva chief takes a swing at his peers
11 May 2004
The corporate superannuation industry is not serving the interests of members by dragging its heels when transferring balances…
Lobbyists want plan for super shortfall
04 May 2004
A coalition of 14 financial services associations and companies is trying to convince the Federal Government to devise a plan to fix the $600 billion shortfall…
Zurich teams up with Bstar to assist planners
04 May 2004
Zurich Financial Services Australia has joined forces with Bstar – a professional services group specialising in SME solutions – to develop a program…
Industry safer than US, says IFSA
27 April 2004
The Investment & Financial Services Association says new regulations will protect Australian investors from market timing and late trading problems…
New deputy for IFSA
27 April 2004
IFSA has appointed John O’Shaughnessy as Deputy CEO following the relocation of former Deputy Jo-Anne Bloch…
Super assets rise
27 April 2004
APRA’s latest edition of Super Trends for the December quarter shows an increase of total super assets of 3.3%, leaving assets standing at $565.9 billion…
Zurich wants to build life market share
20 April 2004
Zurich Financial Services is getting serious about growing its share of the life market in Australia, bringing in managers for its marketing and business projects units…
AIG makes its mark
20 April 2004
American International Assurance Company (Australia) Limited (AIA) has changed its name to reflect the powerful image of its US parent…