NESS Super partners with Otivo for digital advice service
Electro-technology profit-to-member fund NESS Super has partnered with digital advice provider Otivo.
Growth super fund on track to finish CY24 with 11 pc gain: Chant West
The median growth option in super funds are on track to finish the 2024 calendar year with an 11 per cent gain, according to the latest estimate from research house Chant West.
How 2024 revealed the real challenges facing super funds
Australia’s super funds have emerged as truly global institutional asset owners, attracting the attention of peers and governments around the world. But Investment Magazine’s 2024 coverage detailed how the rapidly growing sector is also grappling with serving members in both accumulation and decumulation and expectations of world-class customer service.
Industry funds are already war-gaming a royal commission
If suggestions of a royal commission inquiry into profit-to-member super funds come to pass, the sector would be well-advised to embrace the scrutiny it brings with it and to avoid repeating the mistakes the Coalition and the banks made in trying to stave off the Hayne royal commission.
REST appoints people and culture leaders
Super fund REST has appointed two general managers to lead its workplace culture and employee experience development.
Funds plead for better member data access in retirement consultation
Across 91 submissions to Treasury’s consultation on the retirement phase of superannuation a common theme emerges: without better gathering, sharing, analysis and use of data, funds stand little chance of being able to tailor retirement solutions to the needs of members. Failing to do that could undermine the government’s efforts to expand the provision of retirement advice by super funds.
The Future Fund can walk and chew gum at the same time
Claims that the Future Fund is being conscripted for political proposes in addressing climate change are misguided. It is the only responsible course of action for this government to want to pull sensible levers to mitigate the climate crisis, while staying within the investment return and governance guardrails established by the fund’s founders.
Thinking past tech, processes and systems to foster a culture of resilience
A super fund’s operational resilience could be tested at any moment, from any direction. The robustness of technology, processes and systems obviously play a critical role in enabling funds to absorb shocks and to bounce back; but just as important is fostering an organisation-wide culture of resilience built on accountability.
How to avoid turning operational crises into catastrophes
Calamities and disasters can take many forms, and while some can be planned for, others cannot. But regulators are expecting super funds to be ready for them all. Novigi’s Kevin Fernandez explains how funds can put a good plan in place for building operational resilience which – if cannot help with preventing a crisis – can help funds recover fast.
Operational resilience much more than ticking boxes
With APRA’s Prudential Practice Guide CPG 230 Operational Risk Management now finalised, and the 1 July 2025 effective date looming, it is critical that funds understand the data and technology impacts. If organisations can get their approach right, it could be a potential opportunity to run safer and stabler operations, rather than simply a box-ticking exercise.
Insignia rejects $2.7b Bain Capital bid
ASX-listed Insignia Financial has rejected the non-binding $2.7 billion offer from Bain Capital, saying the bid “does not adequately represent fair value” for shareholders.
Unlisted asset governance raises more trustee competence questions
A 12-month review by APRA into super funds’ unlisted asset valuation and liquidity practices has highlighted a range of findings the regulator has labelled as “concerning”. The review echoes similar concerns raised in the independent report by Deloitte that revealed shortcomings with how the skills and competencies of trustees appointed to the Cbus board are assessed and verified.
