Why the royal commission on aged care is another inquiry we have to have

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety kicks off on Friday with the first preliminary public hearing in Adelaide. At the hearing, the commissioners will set out their …

Does the Productivity Commission want to cut advisers out of the superannuation picture?

Concerns over conflicts of interest in financial advice have prompted the Productivity Commission to recommend a range of measures to help more superannuation fund members make better decisions about super …

Rethinking the risks and returns of misconduct

Like many Australians, I did a fair bit of travelling around the country over Christmas and New Year, which involved driving thousands of kilometres across NSW, Queensland and Tasmania. The …

Financial advisers going back to school – some more than others

Last week the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) urged all existing financial advisers to make sure they are present and correct on the ASIC financial advisers register by December …

Can the Royal Commission create a new industry hero?

From myth and the first recorded stories in ancient history to present-day movie blockbusters, humans appear to be obsessed with the idea of the hero. The “hero’s journey” narrative pops …

CBA must ‘drive harder than anyone else’ to address failings of the past

As one of the highest-profile financial planning licensees in the country, Commonwealth Financial Planning (CFPL) more than most acts as a proxy in the public mind for the entire financial …

Man in the Mirror: Advisers committed to making a change

A tourist is travelling through Ireland. He stops a local and asks for directions: “How do I get to Dublin?” The local earnestly responds: “Well, Sir, if I was going …

Competition versus Conflict in Mortgage Broking

Before the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry sank its teeth into the financial advice industry, it spent two weeks on consumer lending where …

Stress-test for licensees will reveal major cracks

During the next five years, the quality and capability of financial planning licensees will be tested, possibly like never before. Demands on individual advisers to meet new education, ethical and …

White Paper – The Shock of the New

Excerpt The financial services industry is in a state of flux. As competition heats up and companies scramble for market share, there are some new kids on the block threatening …

White Paper – The Future of Banking

Excerpt Australia’s financial services sector is the biggest contributor to the national economy, employing 450,000 people, with a rocksteady reputation. Yet despite the envious strength of our major banks and …

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White Paper – SMSFs The Next Wave

Excerpt The self managed super fund (SMSF) sector has been through a period of immense growth since its inception, to become the largest part of the $2 trillion Australian superannuation …

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What can you learn from the best brands in the world?

What can we learn from some of the world’s best brands? For every brand superstar, such as Bunnings, there’s the story of a failed competitor like Masters. This clearly begs …