Vanguard servicing more offshore clients from Melbourne

Vanguard Investments has boosted its senior management with the return to Australia of the former heads of the company’s European and Japanese operations – a move likely to lift the $7 billion of offshore funds already serviced by the Melbourne headquarters.

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Skandia to rev up rebates and block Old Mutual takeover bid

Fund managers on the Australian Skandia platform are likely to face an even tighter squeeze on their margins as the group’s global parent goes into overdrive to fend off a hostile takeover bid from South African financial services giant Old Mutual.

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Two new managers join Intech in HOT line-up

Intech Investment Consulting has boosted the number of managers in its High Opportunities Trust (HOT) to nine, adding Hong Kong-based global equities manager Axiom Investment Management and US-based global equities boutique Altrinsic Global Advisers.

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Dealer groups to get ICAA once-over

The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAA) is drawing up a ‘preferred list’ of dealer groups for its financial planning members but will not be rating licence-holders, according to its head of superannuation and financial planning, Hugh Elvy.

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Puzzle solved: client is centrepiece of Baker business

Bruce Baker has been one of the most vocal advocates of the rights of boutique financial advice businesses in a world dominated by large dealers. True to his individualistic style, Baker credits the success of his own business, Puzzle Financial Advice, to the novel approach of putting clients first.

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