In the increasingly and often unnecessarily complex world of personal finance, the biggest value of a financial adviser may be in managing customer behaviour, argues John Astrup, who runs the Zurich savings and investment propositions in the Middle East.
The Australian Tax Office has warned domestic financial advisers that it is targeting retirement planning schemes which encourage Australians to engage in tax avoidance arrangements through their self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF).
Recruiting more diverse IFAs is key to tapping new markets and growing business, but attracting fresh blood into the industry remains a challenge, industry experts have said.
Financial advisers making the most of technological advances have almost 40% more assets under management (AUM) than their counterparts, new research suggests.
The Isle of Man regulator has announced plans to make it mandatory for international life companies based on the island to disclose to retail customers all commissions being paid to their financial adviser.
The UK’s Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (Cisi) is teaming up with the University of Dubai to offer students internationally recognised financial qualifications.
Lapses in anti-money laundering and other scandals have “made a dent” in Singapore’s reputation as a “clear and trusted financial centre”, said Ravi Menon, managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (Mas).
The collapse of British department store group BHS was due largely to “systematic plunder” by its former owners, but raises ongoing concerns over the future of company pension schemes which need to be tackled soon, according to a UK parliamentary inquiry.
Mark Christal, chief executive officer of Hong Kong for Old Mutual International, part of Old Mutual Wealth, on the shifting sands of Hong Kong’s regulatory landscape, its impact on all participants in financial services within the region, and the challenges facing product providers, advisers and end clients.
The Australian government has reaffirmed plans to set up an industry body aimed at lifting the professional standards of financial advisers, confirming that all new advisers must have a university degree.
South African regulator, the Financial Services Board (FSB), has confirmed that the first phase of the upcoming Retail Distribution Review (RDR), due to be implemented this month, has now been postponed until next year.
South Africa’s financial advisory market is unsustainable in its current form and urgently needs the introduction of the upcoming Retail Distribution Review (RDR) regulations, according to the country’s financial services regulator, the Financial Services Board (FSB).
