Financial Standard

FEATURE | Platforms | The investment supermarket

KARREN VERGARA  |    9:15AM   The government wants stronger regulatory power over platforms following the collapse of Shield and First Guardian. The industry says more regulation isn't needed, but better execution of the rules already in place. Where's the line?

Count rebrands Oracle to Count Wealth

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Count Financial has rebranded Oracle Group as a new retail brand Count Wealth, after announcing the acquisition earlier in the year.

Northern Trust AM Australia among five to split $4.3bn mandate

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:12PM   Northern Trust Asset Management Australia is one of several fund managers that scored a major mandate from Taiwan's Bureau of Labor Funds (BLF) to help manage a total pool of US$3 billion ($4.3bn).

ASX to rejig corporate governance framework

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:05PM   The ASX is looking to modernise eight core corporate governance principles, which include rejigging executive remuneration and board composition, to make them fit-for-purpose in the current environment in which ASX-listed entities operate in.

Corporate hybrid issuance surges: Report

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:13PM   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.

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.

Aussies ditch 'Great Australian Dream,' pursue 'Great Australian Lifestyle'

KARREN VERGARA   The "Great Australian Dream" has been superseded by the pursuit of the "Great Australian Lifestyle" as a new measure of success underscored by financial security, a new survey finds.

FEATURE | Retirement | A layer of confidence

MATTHEW WAI   Retirement is often the most vulnerable and least exciting phase for Australians, yet it can also become a fulfilling period for those who plan in advance and seek reliable sources of income. Matthew Wai writes.

IMF downgrades Australian outlook

ELIZA BAVIN   The International Monetary Fund has downgraded the outlook for Australia while the RBA's Sarah Hunter has signalled another cash rate hike could be on the cards.

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.

ASIC boasts $830m record civil penalties

KARREN VERGARA   ASIC has scored a whopping $830 million in civil penalty orders in the last financial year alone, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed.

FSCP bans adviser over client advice failures

VINNY VUCAGO   The Financial Services Credit Panel (FSCP) has cancelled the registration of financial adviser Peter Morrison-Dowd and banned him from providing personal advice to retail clients until at least September 2027 after finding multiple breaches of his legal and ethical obligations.

HSBC appoints structured finance chief

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:09PM   HSBC Australia and New Zealand have appointed a former Deutsche Bank executive as head of structured finance.

legalsuper appoints HESTA executive as CEO, names new CIO

VINNY VUCAGO   legalsuper has appointed a new chief executive and new chief investment officer, hiring from HESTA and Qantas Super.

UniSuper backs tech despite AI caution

VINNY VUCAGO   UniSuper has reaffirmed its conviction in the global technology sector after delivering another year of double-digit returns in its Balanced option.

AusFood Super looks to revitalise member engagement

MATTHEW WAI   The $3.5 billion super fund has partnered with InvestStream to launch RetireSmart+, becoming the first super fund to bring an AI-powered engagement experience to some 66,000 members.

Next Capital nabs Fujitsu's data centre platform

MATTHEW WAI   Australian private equity firm Next Capital is set to acquire the local data centre business of Fujitsu to create a new independent national data centre platform.

SS&C axes jobs, shifts roles offshore

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   US software services giant SS&C Technologies has slashed 170 Australian roles in the operations, technology and delivery teams.

Family businesses turn to external chief executives: Deloitte

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:47AM   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.