Financial Standard

Advised clients more satisfied despite heightened costs: Report

MATTHEW WAI   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.

Bathla collapse rattles private credit

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    12:14PM   MA Financial has introduced a temporary monthly redemption limit after property developer Bathla Group went into voluntary administration.

AllianceBernstein launches emerging markets active ETF

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:12PM   AllianceBernstein (AB) has launched an active emerging market ETF on TMX Australia, expanding its local exchange traded offering and giving investors access to it Strategic Core equities strategy.

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%.

FSC raises the bar for PC managers with fresh standards

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:00PM   The Financial Services Council has released a new standard and guidance note for members on private markets, with a special focus allocated for private credit managers.

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

KARREN VERGARA   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.

BT Panorama hires long-serving Russell Investments executive

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:17PM   BT Panorama hired a long-serving Russell Investments executive to lead its managed accounts division.

Australian Unity names chief of staff, marketing lead

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:11PM   Australian Unity made two new senior hires, one of whom is the chief of staff while the other will lead the customer and marketing division.

CBA, Colonial First State settle class action for $249m

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:29PM   Commonwealth Bank (CBA), together with Colonial First State Investments (CFSI) and Avanteos Investments, have agreed to settle the long-running Interest Rates Class Action for $249 million but deny wrongdoing.

Netwealth profit hit by First Guardian costs

VINNY VUCAGO  |    11:54AM   Netwealth reported record underlying earnings and funds under administration in FY26, though its statutory result was weighed down by $74 million in after-tax costs related to the First Guardian Master Fund collapse.

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.