Financial Standard

Advisers bolster client book amid compliance burden: CoreData

KARREN VERGARA   Financial advice practices are serving more clients, charging higher fees and reporting record levels of satisfaction with their licensees, despite the weight of compliance, according to CoreData.

FS Power50 voting opens

VINNY VUCAGO   Voting for Australia's most influential financial advisers in the 2026 Financial Standard Power50 is now open, with 122 advisers shortlisted for the annual ranking.

ASX profits slump as ASIC inquiry costs bite

ELIZA BAVIN  |    12:17PM   The ASX reported a fall in its statutory net profit driven by $51.1 million in legal costs and penalties as a result of settling legal proceedings with ASIC.

Space, semiconductor ETFs worst performers in July

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:58AM   Space-related and semiconductor exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the worst performers in the month of July after delivering exceptional gains earlier in the year.

Life CCC unveils FY27 priorities

MATTHEW WAI   The Life CCC has laid out its priorities for the current financial year, including providing the necessary support required for the upcoming implementation of the revised Life Code.

Corporate hybrid issuance surges: Report

VINNY VUCAGO   Corporate hybrids are re-emerging as a significant segment of the Australian dollar credit market, with QIC saying the asset class is benefiting from regulatory reforms, growing investor demand and changing rating treatment.

New platform provides guidance for retirees

MATTHEW WAI  |    11:56AM   A new artificial intelligence (AI) platform has launched to fill a gap that is persisting for retiring members seeking purpose in the retirement phase.

Challenger launches retirement research institute

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Challenger has launched the Institute for Lifetime Income, an advocacy and insights platform focused on improving financial and longevity literacy.

RBA on hold but keeps door open for more hikes

ELIZA BAVIN   The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the door open for further tightening despite keeping the cash rate steady at 4.35%.

PC calls on government to 'redouble' efforts to close the gap

ELIZA BAVIN   The Productivity Commission has released its 2026 annual Data Compilation Report, tracking Australia's performance towards the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

ASIC warns investors over Yepbit platform

VINNY VUCAGO  |    11:39AM   ASIC has warned investors against dealing with Yepbit and Yepbit Exchange after receiving reports customers have been unable to withdraw funds from the purported digital assets and futures trading platform.

Former director jailed for misuse of $1.75m

VINNY VUCAGO   Former Equitable Financial Solutions director Usman Siddiqui has been sentenced to six years and six months' imprisonment for dishonestly using his position as a director and misappropriating company funds.

CareSuper hires from AustralianSuper, Rest

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:06PM   CareSuper has welcomed two senior investment directors from other super funds to strengthen its investment capability.

LGT Wealth Management appoints chief tech officer

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:46AM   LGT Wealth Management has appointed Willem Strydom as its new chief technology officer.

AI advice boom highlights urgent need for affordable advice: SMC

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:04PM   Australians are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to understand their superannuation and retirement options, but new research suggests many remain reluctant to rely on AI alone for major financial decisions.

Women lead in voluntary contributions: Rest

VINNY VUCAGO   Women accounted for almost two thirds of Rest members making voluntary super contributions in 2025-2026.

Centuria, ResetData advance AI data centre rollout

VINNY VUCAGO  |    11:43AM   Centuria Capital Group and AI infrastructure business ResetData have partnered with CDC Data Centres to develop AI data centre infrastructure.

Zerocap expands insto crypto trading capabilities

MATTHEW WAI   Zerocap, the Smorgon family-backed crypto currency investment platform, has announced a new partnership to scale its institutional crypto and FX trading capabilities.

Family businesses turn to external chief executives: Deloitte

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   While family members will largely remain at the helm of family businesses post-succession, a Deloitte Private report anticipates a meaningful shift globally, with more businesses preferring outside professionals to step into the chief executive roles.

MST Financial broadens services to Alder & Partners

KARREN VERGARA   MST Financial has broadened its services for Alder & Partners Private Wealth Management, providing "institutional-grade investments" across managed accounts, asset allocation and research.