FS Advice

Banks and fraud prevention in the COVID-19 era

ANITA LEMAIRE   With Australia's COVID-19 vaccine program in full swing, businesses and banking institutions across the country are cautiously optimistic that the nation's economic recovery ...

Such a nice guy

ANGELIQUE AKSENOFF   Individuals like Melissa Caddick, Melinda Scott and Bernie Madoff, when first exposed, initially elicit expressions of shocked disbelief; quickly replaced by outrage, overreaction ...

PI insurers kill advisers' crypto appetite

KANIKA SOOD   If a security were to rise from 97 cents to $70,000 in 10 years, it would be hard for a financial adviser to not get calls from clients asking about it. This is what Bitcoin did ...

Non-correlated investments in a highly correlated world

ALEX LEE   The behaviour of financial assets during the 2020 pandemic triggered a re-examination of the role of correlation in portfolios. Most market participants were surprised that the ...

Insurance companies are changing the rules

RUSSELL CAIN   You might have read in the news of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) changes coming to income protection insurance contracts. APRA has announced a significant ...

Adding youth to an old problem

CARLY VAN DEN AKKER   One of the emerging risks raised in this year's Swiss Re SONAR New emerging risk insights report (SONAR report) is 'mental health among the young'. The SONAR report ...

Using data to drive operational efficiencies

KON COSTAS   This paper looks at how financial advice businesses struggling to contain costs can use insights from benchmarking data to support better operational and strategic decisions.

The future of data, platforms in advice

HUB24 PTY LTD   Financial advice is a service valued by many Australians, and many more are interested in seeking advice. However, it is currently not accessible to all. One of the main reasons ...

Work test and the exemption for recent retirees

TIM HOWARD   One of the most significant measures announced in the May 2021 federal budget was the proposed exemption from the work test. How does the work test apply now, and what is expected ...

Indexing the personal transfer balance cap

TIMOTHY MILLER   The general transfer balance cap (GTBC) was introduced from 1 July 2017 and is a cap on the how much can be transferred to a retirement phase pension for a member. The cap ultimately ...

Super changes broaden the options for windfall contributions

ASHLEY DAVIDSON   The superannuation system is based on the notion that you can build up your nest egg steadily over the course of your working life, but that is not always the case. Breaks from ...

Does your client meet the retirement definition?

RAHUL SINGH   Accumulated through compulsory and voluntary contributions as well as earnings, superannuation is a significant source of retirement savings. As clients approach retirement, their ...

Fringe benefits tax

KMT PARTNERS   Every March 31, the fringe benefits tax (FBT) year ends. With the ever-increasing budget deficits as a result of COVID-19, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be reviewing ...

Challenging a will based on mental capacity

APRIL KENNEDY   Capacity can be an emotionally charged topic, especially in relation to dementia or Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative conditions. This paper discusses how a Will might ...

General advice

SEAN GRAHAM   For a variety of reasons, including client preferences, the 'cost of compliance' and perceptions of value, there is an increasing focus on general advice. For some a sanctuary ...

The cost of regulation

KARREN VERGARA   The corporate regulator justified the staggering 160% jump in the adviser levy, from the time it was introduced in 2017-18, as a consequence of advisers abandoning the industry.

Handwashing and social distancing: Creating adviser opportunities

GERARD KERR   Health and safety concerns and heightened uncertainty are fuelling demand for personal advice, but how big is the opportunity? COVID-19 has increased everyone's awareness ...

How monetisation triggers provide defensiveness

ROBERT SWAN   Today's investors are at a crossroads, torn between which path to take. One direction investors can choose is sign-posted towards the potential upside arising from positive ...

How advisers can obtain genuine client feedback

SIMON RUSSELL   While most would agree that getting good client feedback is desirable, it can be difficult for a financial adviser to know what their clients actually think. Clients could feel ...

Selling an advice practice

SCOTT BREWSTER   Due to tighter compliance requirements and changing personal priorities, many financial advisers are beginning to think of selling their practice. However, selling a practice ...