Financial Standard

ASIC ceases a further 26 authorisations after review

MATTHEW WAI   ASIC has completed the review on the FAR relating to compliance with the qualifications standard that took effect on 1 January 2026, as adviser numbers plummeted below 15,000 entering the new financial year.

First Guardian victims recoup 8% of $38m loan

KARREN VERGARA   Victims of the First Guardian Master Fund will only recoup $2.9 million out of a $38.3 million loan made by responsible entity Falcon Capital, according to liquidators who said the amount represents a realistic commercial value compared to alternative options.

Aware Super partners to invest in $1.65bn property platform

ELIZA BAVIN   Aware Super and Tribera have partnered to invest in a German student housing platform with over €1 billion of investment capacity.

ARK Invest awards local distribution mandate

KARREN VERGARA   Cathie Wood's ARK Investment Management has chosen Associate Global Partners (AGP) to help distribute its venture capital strategy to Australian wholesale investors.

Final report into Life Code makes 85 recommendations

MATTHEW WAI   The final report of an independent review of the Life Insurance Code of Practice has been finalised, proposing some 85 recommendations across aspects of mental health, customer vulnerability, claims handling, and sales practices.

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.

Lack of awareness impacts retirement satisfaction: TAL

MATTHEW WAI   New research indicates that although around 90% of retirees selecting pension accounts or lifetime income streams were satisfied with their decision, less than two in five (38%) pre-retirees understood how those products work.

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.

Inflation cools, RBA facing 'uncomfortable trade-off'

ELIZA BAVIN   While inflation has cooled, it remains stubbornly above the Reserve Bank's target range, putting the central bank in a tricky position, experts say.

Vale Alan Greenspan

ELIZA BAVIN   The American economist and former chair of the Federal Reserve passed away at 100 years old.

ASIC cancels AFSL of Capital Guard over fake bond sale

ELIZA BAVIN   ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of Capital Guard after finding it had engaged in dishonest conduct, including the selling of a fake bond.

ASIC makes first move since putting private credit on notice

MATTHEW WAI   The market watchdog has made interim stop orders against two products operated by Stratfund, suspecting deficiencies in the target market determinations for both products.

APRA names new deputy chairs

VINNY VUCAGO   The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has welcomed the appointment of two new deputy chairs, with current board member Therese McCarthy Hockey and former assistant treasurer David Bradbury set to join the regulator's leadership.

Australian Unity names new wealth chief

MATTHEW WAI   Australian Unity has named the successor of Esther Kerr, who departed the organisation last year.

ART, AustralianSuper deliver strong FY26 returns

VINNY VUCAGO   Australian Retirement Trust (ART) and AustralianSuper have reported solid investment returns, with both funds crediting diversified portfolios and strong global equity markets for the performance despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Vanguard delivers double-digit returns, Rest comes just shy

VINNY VUCAGO   Rest and Vanguard both reported solid returns as global equities continue to underpin portfolio performance despite ongoing market volatility.

Stablecoins a key to instant access to global credit markets

MATTHEW WAI   As the world enters a digital age, digital assets like stablecoins are not only opening doors for assets like private credit funds that were exclusive to institutional investors, but also a debt universe that is no longer limited to the domestic market, experts told Financial Standard.

Generation Life confirms personal information leaked in cyber incident

MATTHEW WAI   Generation Life has provided an update regarding a cyber incident that took place in April, confirming information of a "limited number" of individuals has been impacted.

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.