It may have been over 10 years since the global financial crisis (GFC) unfolded, but the regulatory and political fallout is still driving change for the financial services sector. Read more

People who are employees, customers and clients of many small businesses across the country have retreated into their homes for both work and self isolation. Businesses have been the subject of federal government (government) directions. Read more

The global response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in many ordinary business dealings now being undertaken remotely due to social distancing protocols and border shutdowns. Read more

Most investors appreciate the role of fixed income in a diversified portfolio> That is, steady income streams, lower volatility, and protection against falls in equity values during periods of market stress. However, by the end of January 2020, the ... Read more

A major challenge facing advisers in responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) news-flow is a lack of systematic research to guide decision- making after surprise geopolitical events, such as epidemics. Read more

In finance textbooks, academics assume that investors act rationally when making investment decisions. However, in practice, investors are not fully rational. This is especially true during market crises such as the severe volatility and uncertainty ... Read more

Markets have for some time now been largely ignoring fundamentals. This remains the case even as coronavirus (COVID-19) threatens a deep depression. In our opinion, not all market sectors will benefit equally from perpetual policy response. Read more

On 29 November 2019, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) deputy chair Karen Chester delivered a speech, 'Consumer outcomes: A truth universally acknowledged', at the Australian Institute of Company Directors Leaders' Lunch. Her speech ... Read more

In terms of managing farm operations there are a multitude of financial considerations. Read more

The purpose of any advice business is to help its clients to achieve what they want to achieve. So, why is talking about goals-based advice seen as being 'different' from what financial planners have always done? Read more

My most popular behavioural finance workshop series have been on negotiations. The participants in these workshops were typically teams of private equity investors and venture capitalists, or corporate mergers and acquisitions teams. Read more

According to Business Health's Catscan survey data, 25,000 clients in Australia rated the review service delivered by advisers as the worst-performing area from the perspective of client satisfaction. So, it is safe to say the industry has some work ... Read more

The Centrelink treatment of granny flat arrangements is important to understand because of the implications for deprivation and homeownership. Granny flat arrangements can allow a person to transfer assets to another person in exchange for a life interest ... Read more

This paper shares some common queries around the technicalities for low means residents. Read more

The Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) standards that came into effect from 1 January 2020 are compulsory for all financial advisers who provide financial services to retail clients. The FASEA Code of Ethics imposes ethical duties ... Read more

A spate of changes over the past several years has impacted self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) with increasingly onerous responsibilities. As a result, investors seem to be taking a closer look at the possibility of transitioning from their existing ... Read more

An unintended consequence of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Protecting Your Superannuation Package) Act 2019 (PYSP Act) that came into effect on 1 July 2019 means that many total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance claimants may have significantly ... Read more