ASIC permanently bans Financial Circle director
29 June 2020
Melbourne man Anthony Wynd has been permanently banned from providing financial services by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission...
Life Insurance
Munich Re digital platform targets APAC life insurers
29 June 2020
Munich Re’s insurtech arm has introduced a digital underwriting solution called Allfinanz Spark for life insurers in the Asia Pacific...
New Zealand sets March date for new advice regime
29 June 2020
New Zealand has set March 15 next year as the start date for its new financial advice regime that is designed to improve transparency and outcomes for consumers...
Zurich-backed AI project wins global honours
29 June 2020
Zurich-owned OnePath Life and the University of Technology Sydney have won global accolades for their work on an artificial intelligence (AI) project that reduces the time it takes to perform standard underwriting processes...
Life industry makes $348 million profit from super
22 June 2020
The life insurance industry made about $348 million in operating profit after tax from superannuation and $187 million from ordinary business for financial years ended in the 12 months to December last year...
Mental health claims fuel doubling of disability income payout
22 June 2020
The overall payout for disability income insurance doubled to $4.9 billion in the five years to 2018, fuelled in part by a 53% jump in benefit payment for mental health claims, according to a study by the Financial Services Council and KPMG...
Challenger seeks up to $300 million to boost capital base
22 June 2020
Challenger plans to raise up to $300 million to strengthen its life business as it looks to weather the ongoing disruption caused by the virus pandemic...
Relief for advisers as FASEA extension finally clears parliamentary hurdle
22 June 2020
Financial advisers have welcomed the passage of a Bill last week in Parliament that will give them more time to meet new qualification and examination requirements...
TAL, iSelect agree on partnership to boost life business
22 June 2020
TAL and comparator iSelect have joined forces to strengthen their life insurance offerings, the two companies have confirmed...
Risk inflows decline 3.6% to $16.2 billion
22 June 2020
Overall risk market inflows in the life industry fell 3.6% to $16.2 billion in the year to March, dragged down by declines in the individual risk lump sum and group risk product lines, according to data compiled by actuaries and researchers Plan for Life...
MetLife podcast series offers advisers tips
22 June 2020
MetLife has created a new podcast series which will explore a wide range of issues facing the advice industry...
TAL extends Royal Flying Doctor Service partnership
22 June 2020
TAL has extended its sponsorship of the Royal Flying Doctor Service by three years, supporting health services across regional Australia as a National Community partner...
FPA stands by calls for overhaul of licensing regime
15 June 2020
The Financial Planning Association is standing by its push for an overhaul of the current licensing regime for advisers, despite major wealth managers voicing opposition to the plan...
FASEA extension hits another snag
15 June 2020
The Treasury Laws Amendment Bill will go back to the House of Representatives for more deliberation, further delaying a move that would have given financial advisers a one-year extension to complete a new exam requirement...
Enquiries for life, income cover spike on COVID
15 June 2020
MetLife Australia says it has experienced a marked increase in enquiries for life insurance and income protection policies since the outbreak of COVID-19, reflecting widespread concern during such an uncertain time...
MLC set for $400 million capital injection, new CEO named
15 June 2020
Life insurer MLC will receive a capital injection of $400 million from its shareholders to shore up its financial position...
Celebrity planner charged with faking credentials
15 June 2020
Former financial planner Sam Henderson has been charged in a Sydney court for allegedly lying to clients that he holds a Master of Commerce degree...
NZ advisers want 'serious flaws' in conduct bill addressed
15 June 2020
A bill intended to ensure financial institutions comply with a principle of fair conduct has "serious flaws" that needs to be addressed before it becomes law, Financial Advice New Zealand has warned...
More duress for life industry as pandemic hands fresh blow
01 June 2020
The life industry made an after-tax net loss of $1 billion in the March quarter, as the pandemic dealt a fresh blow to the struggling sector, according to a regular Australian Prudential Regulation Authority update...
FPA charts out five-year roadmap
01 June 2020
The Financial Planning Association has outlined its priorities for the next five years, with plans to step up its focus on members, advocacy and consumers...