Financial Standard

Product showcase: Reframing financial advice

THE FINANCIAL STANDARD TEAM  |    10:08AM   Brought to you by Generation Life.

Count shutters limited-advice business, slips in size ranking

MATTHEW WAI   Count Financial has reportedly wound up its restricted SMSF/limited-advice service, losing some 26 advisers on the Financial Adviser Register, latest data shows.

FEATURE | Aged care: The longevity dividend

ELIZA BAVIN   It's not just Australia that is dealing with an aging population, in fact the World Health Organisation estimates by 2030, one in six people will be aged 60 years or over.

Dexus executives step down over leaked airport data case

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Dexus said key executives have been stood down while the board and management consider the NSW Supreme Court judgement for it to sell its stake in Melbourne and Launceston airports.

Treasury releases adverse genetic test results ban draft regulation

KARREN VERGARA   Treasury is seeking feedback on draft regulations that ban the use of adverse genetic test results in life insurance, which come into effect on October 8.

AFCA to update rules on new genetic testing laws

KARREN VERGARA   The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is proposing to amend its rules in preparation for recent legislative changes on genetic testing protections in life insurance.

Investment performance will not help smaller balances: Research

MATTHEW WAI   Recent research from Monash University demonstrated retirees will require a balance above $400,000 to achieve sustainable retirement without investment-related constraints.

Behavioural constraint is costing retirees greatly: Allianz Retire+

MATTHEW WAI   The insurer found that market volatility, and inadequate savings are no longer the greatest threats to retirement outcomes, rather, it comes down to hesitancy to make the decisions retirement requires.

US proposes fresh tariffs on Australia

ELIZA BAVIN   Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the proposed new tariffs are "unjustified and unwarranted".

Cooling economy could keep RBA on hold

ELIZA BAVIN   Australia's GDP cooled in the March quarter with some saying the read could be positive news for interest rates.

CALI seeks life insurers exemption from lead generation ban

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The Council of Australian Life Insurers said it will argue a strong case for exemption for life insurance lead generation to not be swept up into a blanket ban designed to address misconduct in other parts of the financial system.

More aggressive than ever: ASIC defends First Guardian investigation

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   ASIC was pulled up by the Senate Economics Committee over the time it has taken to act against Falcon Capital, the responsible entity for the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund.

First Super recruits head of investments from Prime Super

MATTHEW WAI   First Super has appointed a new head of investments, replacing Chris Artis, who was in the position for the past three months on an interim basis.

TAL appoints two new board members

MATTHEW WAI   TAL has welcomed two new independent non-executive directors to its board.

HESTA extends decades-long partnership with J.P. Morgan

MATTHEW WAI   J.P. Morgan will continue to deliver custodial and fund services for the $102 billion super fund for a further five years, extending their partnership to more than 30 years.

Older Australians drive majority of super complaints: ASIC

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Older Australians between the ages of 55 to 75 accounted for half of the internal complaints made to super funds in 2025, according to ASIC's Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) data dashboard.

Otivo launches AI-powered financial advice

MATTHEW WAI   Otivo has launched a mobile app for Australians to access licensed advice powered by AI.

Royal London AM extends SS&C mandate for new Aussie funds

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) will extend its mandate with SS&C Technologies to provide its fund administration and unit registry services for its new range of Australian active funds.

Family office succession takes back seat to investments

KARREN VERGARA   While family offices have investment strategies down pat, the state of their succession plans paint another story, which reports suggest could undermine a seamless transfer of a vast amount of wealth.

Lowy family takes stake in Magellan

KARREN VERGARA   The Lowy family has acquired a 5.1% stake in Magellan Financial Group via its trust Oryxium.