Financial Standard

Advisers lean on AQF7 to meet education standards: Rainmaker

MATTHEW WAI  |    12:55PM   A new report indicates that Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) 7 qualifications are the most common forms of qualification among financial advisers, held by 85% of the population.

ASIC bans former NextGen Financial Group directors

KARREN VERGARA  |    10:40AM   ASIC banned two former NextGen Financial Group directors from working in financial services for three years for failing to comply with Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) determinations.

Talaria warns S&P concentration erodes diversification

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:58PM   More than 90% of the world's investable assets now move in line with the S&P 500, prompting concerns that investors may be far less diversified than they believe, according to Talaria Asset Management.

La Caisse backs GO.FARM in $330m farmland push

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:54PM   Canadian institutional investor La Caisse has partnered with Australian agricultural investment manager GO. FARM to launch a $330 million investment platform targeting permanent horticulture assets, underscoring growing institutional demand for Australian farmland.

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.

Final report into Life Code makes 85 recommendations

MATTHEW WAI   The final report of an independent review of the Life Insurance Code of Practice has been finalised, proposing some 85 recommendations across aspects of mental health, customer vulnerability, claims handling, and sales practices.

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KARREN VERGARA   The "Great Australian Dream" has been superseded by the pursuit of the "Great Australian Lifestyle" as a new measure of success underscored by financial security, a new survey finds.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

Jobs data surprises on the upside, rate hike on the cards

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    12:55PM   Employment jumped by a substantial 76,300 jobs in June, above the market consensus of 15,000 jobs creation, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Trump slugs Australia with new 'forced-labour' tariffs

KARREN VERGARA  |    11:36AM   US President Donald Trump will slug trading partners, including Australia, with new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on the premise of pressuring foreign governments to strengthen bans on "the importation of goods produced with forced labour."

Aussie Olympian's brother sentenced over crypto scam

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The brother of Australian breakdancing Olympian 'Raygun' has been sentenced 12 months' imprisonment for his role in a global cryptocurrency scam.

ASIC simplifies guidance to improve capital raising activity

MATTHEW WAI   ASIC is simplifying the sell-side regulatory guidance in a move to spike capital raising activity, in line with its simplification effort which commenced in September 2025.

AMP appoints employer partnership lead

VINNY VUCAGO  |    12:56PM   AMP has created a new executive role overseeing its employer and adviser partnerships as it seeks to deepen engagement with two of the key channels shaping Australians' retirement outcomes.

State Street IM Australian investments lead to retire

KARREN VERGARA  |    12:45PM   State Street Investment Management (SSIM) head of investments for Australia Jonathan Shead will step down next month.

Labor commits to compulsory super for under-18 workers

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |    12:54PM   Labor has unanimously supported extending superannuation to under-18 Australian workers.

Aware Super acquires $226m real estate investment

VINNY VUCAGO   Aware Real Estate has expanded its Sydney CBD office portfolio, acquiring a 50% stake in 100 Market Street for approximately $226 million in a move that strengthens its exposure to prime commercial real estate.

Fund managers unsure about expenditures on AI

MATTHEW WAI   While budgets for artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities continue to grow across the fund management industry, many aren't sure if they are spending the right amount, new Clearwater Analytics research found.

Next Capital nabs Fujitsu's data centre platform

MATTHEW WAI   Australian private equity firm Next Capital is set to acquire the local data centre business of Fujitsu to create a new independent national data centre platform.

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.