FS Advice

The human dimension of conduct risk

ATTRACTA LAGAN   What would you do if you found a colleague's behaviour unacceptable, even unethical? Most of us believe we will speak up, however, research shows we often fail to act on our ethical ...

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 ...

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 ...

Specialist insights on aged care advice

RAHUL SINGH   When looking at aged care advice from an adviser's perspective, we find that there are some common themes of interest. This paper offers insights from three experienced aged care ...

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 ...

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 ...

Get ready for the IDR changes

VARUN BHATIA   With the implementation date of the internal dispute resolution changes imminent, many advisers and licensees will have commenced updating internal complaints procedures to comply ...

D and D for beginners: Product design and distribution

SEAN GRAHAM   Considering the deluge of regulatory reform bearing down on licensees and advisers, it is not surprising that the product design and distribution obligations have largely been ...

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 ...