Financial Standard

FEATURE | Managed accounts | Industrialising advice

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    9:00AM   The growth in the managed accounts sector has brought scale and efficiency to advice. Rapid adoption is now reshaping the industry and drawing the regulator's attention.

FAAA pushes to expand NCA to financial advisers

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) said it will advocate strongly to expand the scope of the New Class of Advisers' to all financial advisers, which will currently be limited to only superannuation funds and life insurers.

Global X cuts fees on gold ETF

ELIZA BAVIN  |    12:24PM   Global X has reduced fees on its Gold Bullion ETF, following in the footsteps of VanEck after it cut fees for its gold ETF last week.

Sequoia revokes dividends, chief financial officer exits

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    12:00PM   Sequoia will not pay any dividends in the financial year, revoking interim dividend it had announced earlier in the year of one cent per share, as an adviser exodus puts pressure on its revenue.

AIA Australia reveals stark gender divide in IP claims

KARREN VERGARA   New analysis from AIA Australia finds a stark difference among group insurance income protection claims when it comes to gender, with women leading mental illness and musculoskeletal-related claims.

FEATURE | Group insurance | Dusk to dawn

KARREN VERGARA   Mental-health conditions sit on a broad spectrum. When diagnoses can be as tricky as the illness itself, how are super funds and life insurers responding to the growing crisis within the national income system that's being stretched to its limits?

Half of Australians lack retirement plan: Vanguard

KARREN VERGARA   Nearly half of working-age Australians approaching retirement do not have a retirement plan, raising concerns about long-term financial preparedness and confidence, according to Vanguard.

New platform provides guidance for retirees

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

Albanese pushes Trump on tariff exemption

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asked US President Donald Trump to consider a full exemption on tariffs for Australia, or at the very least no increase from the current 12.5% subject on Australian exports to the US.

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%.

Macquarie board rejects KPMG as auditor

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Macquarie's board has rejected KPMG as its auditor starting 2027 and will instead proceed with incumbent auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

AFCA moves to reinstate APT Strategy, opens doors for victims

KARREN VERGARA   The Australian Fiduciaries-linked APT Strategy has been reinstated as a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), paving the way for victims to come forward.

Acclaim Wealth names chief executive

MATTHEW WAI  |    11:47AM   The Brisbane-based wealth and superannuation business has appointed a new chief executive, as former boss Terry Constable landed a new role at Infocus after almost three years at the helm.

SMC chair takes on more board duties

MATTHEW WAI  |    11:46AM   The inaugural chair of the Super Members Council Ann Sherry has taken on another chair position at a government agency organisation, effective today.

Equity Trustees super exit sparks Hejaz Islamic Super and Pension closure

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:35PM   Hejaz's Islamic Super and Pension products will be terminated as a fallout from Equity Trustees ditching the superannuation trustee business. The latter, however, says otherwise.

Kaplan winds up pooled super trust

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:30PM   ​​​​​​​Kaplan Funds Management has shuttered its $12.6 million Kaplan Pooled Superannuation Trust (PST) amid merger pressure from prudential regulator APRA.

Iress sharpens tech integration to reduce adviser admin burden

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:39AM   Iress is building a structured pathway for technology providers to connect with Xplan, its financial planning and wealth management software, helping ease administrative burden on advisers.

MUFG to acquire GROW Inc

ELIZA BAVIN   MUFG Pension & Market Services has entered into a binding scheme implementation deed to acquire GROW Technology Services.

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.