Financial Standard

Count shutters limited-advice business, slips in size ranking

MATTHEW WAI   Count Financial has reportedly wound up its restricted SMSF/limited-advice service, losing some 26 advisers on the Financial Adviser Register, latest data shows.

Centrepoint Alliance acquires two advice firms

KARREN VERGARA   Centrepoint Alliance will acquire Queensland financial advice practices Cairns Wealth and Pinnacle Wealth for $3 million from Astute Financial Management.

Australian Unity to shed 195 roles

MATTHEW WAI   Australian Unity is reducing its workforce by 195 positions due to underperformance stemming from delays in government support for its Home Health platform and the integration of several businesses.

Canopy Investors shuts doors, winds up fund

KARREN VERGARA   Canopy Investors is shutting its doors three years since launching and is in the process of winding up its flagship Global Small & Mid Cap strategy.

AFCA to update rules on new genetic testing laws

KARREN VERGARA   The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is proposing to amend its rules in preparation for recent legislative changes on genetic testing protections in life insurance.

ASIC, APRA target insurers' TPD product sustainability

KARREN VERGARA   Regulators are putting the pressure on life insurers to manage problematic issues arising from total and permanent disability (TPD) products offered across the retail and group insurance channels, a recent roundtable heard.

Behavioural constraint is costing retirees greatly: Allianz Retire+

MATTHEW WAI   The insurer found that market volatility, and inadequate savings are no longer the greatest threats to retirement outcomes, rather, it comes down to hesitancy to make the decisions retirement requires.

HUB24 expands retirement options with TAL

MATTHEW WAI   HUB24 wasted no time to respond to CFS's move to expand its retirement offering, now launching a lifetime super solution with TAL.

US proposes fresh tariffs on Australia

ELIZA BAVIN   Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the proposed new tariffs are "unjustified and unwarranted".

Cooling economy could keep RBA on hold

ELIZA BAVIN   Australia's GDP cooled in the March quarter with some saying the read could be positive news for interest rates.

More aggressive than ever: ASIC defends First Guardian investigation

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   ASIC was pulled up by the Senate Economics Committee over the time it has taken to act against Falcon Capital, the responsible entity for the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund.

Treasury considers reward system for whistleblowers

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The government has opened consultation on a review of corporate whistleblowing laws in Australia to ensure they are working to effectively protect whistleblowers.

First Super recruits head of investments from Prime Super

MATTHEW WAI   First Super has appointed a new head of investments, replacing Chris Artis, who was in the position for the past three months on an interim basis.

TAL appoints two new board members

MATTHEW WAI   TAL has welcomed two new independent non-executive directors to its board.

Older Australians drive majority of super complaints: ASIC

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Older Australians between the ages of 55 to 75 accounted for half of the internal complaints made to super funds in 2025, according to ASIC's Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) data dashboard.

Almost half of Aussies not making voluntary super contributions

VINNY VUCAGO   Almost half of Australians have never made an additional contribution to their superannuation potentially missing out on a significant opportunity to boost their retirement savings according to new research from Vanguard Australia.

Otivo launches AI-powered financial advice

MATTHEW WAI   Otivo has launched a mobile app for Australians to access licensed advice powered by AI.

Royal London AM extends SS&C mandate for new Aussie funds

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) will extend its mandate with SS&C Technologies to provide its fund administration and unit registry services for its new range of Australian active funds.

Family office succession takes back seat to investments

KARREN VERGARA   While family offices have investment strategies down pat, the state of their succession plans paint another story, which reports suggest could undermine a seamless transfer of a vast amount of wealth.

Lowy family takes stake in Magellan

KARREN VERGARA   The Lowy family has acquired a 5.1% stake in Magellan Financial Group via its trust Oryxium.