AIA pays $2.4bn for Aussie and New Zealand life insurers
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has sold its life insurance businesses in Australia and New Zealand to AIA Group for A$3bn (£1.8bn, $2.4bn, €2bn).
Australia
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Aussie watchdog turns spotlight on IFA remuneration practices
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) plans to build consumer trust in financial advice by focusing on remuneration and incentives practices within the industry.
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Australia ramps up strategy to hit aggressive int’l tax plans
Australia’s tax avoidance taskforce has set out a new strategy to target aggressive international trust planning, having already raised over A$279m (£182m, €197m) over the last four years through its fight against “tax avoidance or evasion by privately owned and wealthy groups”.
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Aussie IFA body pushes for reform of ‘independent’ definition
The Australian Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals (AIOFP) has stepped up efforts to amend the legal definition of “independent advice” through the publication of a white paper seeking to challenge the regulator’s views.
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Crocodile Dundee fraudster’s Italian trial collapses
The Italian trial of a Jerseyman at the centre of Australia’s biggest ever tax evasion scandal that ensnared Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan has collapsed.
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Aussie watchdog reports 300% jump in misconduct compensation
Client compensations for misconduct in the Australian financial services industry nearly tripled to A$618.8m (£381.2m, $490m, €416.2m) in the first half of the year, figures contained in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) biannual enforcement report show.
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Aussie adviser banned and convicted of 97 counts of fraud
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) has permanently banned a former adviser who was found guilty of 97 counts of fraud and 10 counts of stealing and sentenced to six and a half years’ imprisonment.
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‘Dramatic year’ fails to dent Praemium’s growth
Strong growth both in Australia and internationally pushed funds under administration at Praemium up 28% to A$6.1bn (£3.6bn, $4.7bn, €4bn) in spite of the boardroom turmoil that saw the company’s chief executive sacked and then return a few months later.
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Australia’s biggest bank flags sale of life insurance business
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is in talks to sell its life insurance business, the bank has revealed as it reported a 4.6% rise in annual cash earnings to AUD9.88bn (£6bn, $7.8bn, €6.64bn) and raised its dividend.
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Aussie advisers face years of imprisonment after ASIC action
Two banned financial advisers from Australia are facing years in prison for their malpractice following a series of inquiries by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic).
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Australian boutique eyes London expansion with fund launch
Australian investment manager Antipodes Partners has launched a global equity fund to the UK market ahead of plans to expand its London office later this year.
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Aussie and IoM schemes boost UK Rops list as transfers drop
HM Revenue & Customs’ list of recognised overseas pension schemes (Rops) has grown by 10% on the back of more schemes from Australia and the Isle of Man being added. This rise, however, follows official figures showing that the number of Qrops transfers hit its lowest level for six years last year.