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 ...

Tapping into the fixed income evolution to improve client portfolios

PAUL BENSON   The fallout from the Global Financial Crisis set off a sea change in fixed income markets. The rise in electronic trading, a growing roster of liquidity providers, and efficient ...

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 ...

The distribution of life insurance in Australia

MICHAEL MULHOLLAND   MetLife Australia undertakes an annual Understanding the Adviser-Client Relationship Report, which explores the attitudes, behaviours and expectations of current and potential ...

Insurance cover available through superannuation

AMY LEWIS   Superannuation funds typically offer three types of insurance to members. How age makes a difference to superannuation insurance If a member is over 25, most superannuation funds ...

How to ready your business for managed accounts

JASON KOMADINA   Implementing managed accounts in an advice practice involves much more than simply selecting the right provider. It is an opportunity to refine the practice's value proposition ...

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.

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 ...

Guide to granny flat interests

RAHUL SINGH   There are a number of accommodation options for older people who require assistance and may not want to live by themselves. While residential aged care homes generally suit those ...

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 ...

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 ...

Liability of a responsible manager

DAVID COURT   The responsible manager (RM) of a licensee plays a key role under the financial services and credit licensing regimes. However, many RMs are concerned as to their responsibilities ...

Are you ready for the new breach reporting regime?

ALEXANDRA MCCAUGHAN   In June 2021, consultation closed on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) draft regulatory guidance [ Regulatory Guide 78 Breach reporting by AFS ...

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 ...