Financial Standard

Advised clients more satisfied despite heightened costs: Report

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:04PM   A new report highlighting the value of financial advisers indicates clients are even more satisfied despite a higher cost of seeking advice.

First Guardian victims advance in case against InterPrac

KARREN VERGARA   The Federal Court has forced InterPrac Financial Planning to pay two victims of the First Guardian Master Fund that collectively lost a total $465,000.

JANA launches private credit trust

ELIZA BAVIN  |    12:07PM   JANA is expanding its investment trust offering with the launch of an institutional-quality private credit solution.

Super-backed venture fund raises $1bn from global investors

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    11:47AM   Australian venture capital firm Blackbird, with longstanding support from Aussie superannuation funds, has raised new capital worth $1.05 billion from global investors including Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Schroders.

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?

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.

Challenger launches retirement research institute

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Challenger has launched the Institute for Lifetime Income, an advocacy and insights platform focused on improving financial and longevity literacy.

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%.

FAAA welcomes 'widow's tax' changes in CGT, negative gearing reforms

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:07PM   FAAA says it welcomes the legislative changes aimed at addressing the so-called "widow's tax," noting the amendments will protect grieving families and individuals navigating relationship breakdowns from unintended tax consequences.

ASIC draws parallels between ASX and super trustee failures

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   ASIC commissioner Simone Constant has urged superannuation trustees to make good use of member data to better understand their needs as they move towards and through retirement.

AIA Australia rejigs retail team, appoints new lead

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:11PM   AIA Australia's restructure of its retail business will see two senior leaders depart while a new chief retail insurance officer has been appointed to take charge of the next phase of growth.

Philip King stages transition to retirement

KARREN VERGARA   Regal Funds Management's Philip King has handed in his notice period, announcing his retirement strategy that will see his departure in 2027.

ART strikes $883m QLD Westfield deal

VINNY VUCAGO  |    11:45AM   Australian Retirement Trust (ART) has agreed to acquire a 50% interest in Brisbane's Westfield Mt Gravatt from Scentre Group for $882.5 million, in what is expected to be Australia's largest single-asset retail transaction this year.

HESTA reduces fees, minimum balance for income stream

MATTHEW WAI   HESTA will reduce administration fees and lower the minimum balance required to start an income stream account from September 30.

Centuria, ResetData advance AI data centre rollout

VINNY VUCAGO   Centuria Capital Group and AI infrastructure business ResetData have partnered with CDC Data Centres to develop AI data centre infrastructure.

Zerocap expands insto crypto trading capabilities

MATTHEW WAI   Zerocap, the Smorgon family-backed crypto currency investment platform, has announced a new partnership to scale its institutional crypto and FX trading capabilities.

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.