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.

Evans and Partners uplifts MDA offering

KARREN VERGARA   Evans and Partners chose Bloomberg's buy-side technology solution to expand its active bond managed discretionary account (MDA) offering.

Superhero partners for crypto push

KARREN VERGARA   Superhero has joined forces with Robinhood's cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp to enter the digital assets market.

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.

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KARREN VERGARA   The "Great Australian Dream" has been superseded by the pursuit of the "Great Australian Lifestyle" as a new measure of success underscored by financial security, a new survey finds.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

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.

Mixed inflation data keeps August RBA meeting a 'live' one

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Australia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% in the 12 months to June, down from 4% in the 12 months to May 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ASIC ramps up enforcement action

VINNY VUCAGO   ASIC has delivered 150 administrative enforcement outcomes in 2025-26, including the removal or restriction of 87 individuals and businesses from providing financial services as the regulator intensifies action against misconduct across the financial sector.

S&P reaffirms Australia's AAA credit rating

VINNY VUCAGO   Australia has retained its AAA sovereign credit rating form S&P Global, with the ratings agency citing the nations sound fiscal position, modest public debt and strong institutional settings despite heightened global uncertainty.

GESB names chief executive

MATTHEW WAI   GESB, Western Australia's public sector super fund, has named a new chief executive following the departure of long-serving leader Ben Palmer earlier this year.

Nomura AM shuffles global listed real estate team

KARREN VERGARA   Nomura Asset Management Australia has restructured its global listed real estate team amid the exit of its lead James Maydew, who also served as the local chief executive.

Super funds failing on death benefit comms: SCA

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   New research by Super Consumers Australia (SCA) found two-thirds of Australians have not been contacted by their super fund over the past year encouraging them to make a binding death benefit nomination.

Cbus rolls out death benefit nomination changes

KARREN VERGARA   Cbus will roll out changes to death benefit nominations, which include scrapping nominations that expire in three years.

Block Earner launches crypto-backed loan platform

MATTHEW WAI   Block Earner has launched Australia's first crypto-backed lending platform, which utilises Fireblocks' institutional-grade custody technology to safeguard clients' assets.

Padua expands advice portal with AUSIEX partnership

VINNY VUCAGO   Padua Solutions has expanded its Padua Advice Portal, naming AUSIEX as its exclusive broking partner as the advice technology provider looks to streamline advice generation, implementation and compliance for financial advisers.

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.