Financial Standard

Iress bets on AI as business transformation moves forward

KARREN VERGARA   Iress is shifting its focus from business simplification to executing an ambitious artificial intelligence (AI)-driven product strategy that will help financial advisers slash work processes by nearly 40%.

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.

Perennial expands resources investment universe

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Perennial Partners has launched the Perennial Global Resources Trust, expanding its resources investment capability from just Australia into global markets following the closure of its Perennial Strategic Natural Resources Trust to new investors.

Macquarie AM-led consortium finalises Qube takeover

KARREN VERGARA   Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) and a consortium of global investors, including UniSuper and the family office of a Spanish billionaire, have completed their $11.7 billion acquisition of logistics and infrastructure giant Qube Holdings.

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?

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.

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%.

Macquarie puts KPMG audit under formal review

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Macquarie Group chair Glenn Stevens said the investment giant is formally inquiring into KPMG's capability to deliver its audit, as well as the conduct of the audit itself, at the latest parliamentary inquiry into the consulting firm.

ASFA defends super as 'policy success' amid Bragg criticism

VINNY VUCAGO   The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has pushed back against criticism of the compulsory system saying it has delivered significant gains for retirement security and reduced pressure on the federal budget.

Alexis George takes on board appointment

VINNY VUCAGO   Former AMP chief executive Alexis George has taken on a new board position, five months after announcing her intention to retire.

Briefcase names head of growth

MATTHEW WAI   Briefcase has appointed a new head of growth as it looks to expand its tax-aware direct indexing and ETF model portfolio capabilities for its financial intermediary partners.

CFS launches pension bonus

VINNY VUCAGO   Colonial First State (CFS) has launched new retirement solutions offering eligible members a one-off payment when moving from accumulation into retirement.

NZ Super updates sustainable investment policy

MATTHEW WAI   The Guardians of NZ Super has published an updated set of Sustainable Investment policy documents, using a new standalone framework to describe the policies, standards and procedures that underpin its sustainable investment activities.

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.