SMSF Association chair re-elected
Brisbane law firm Cooper Grace Ward Partner Scott Hay-Bartlem has been re-appointed chair of the SMSF Association for another two-year term.
Member experience should be viewed as competitive advantage: CoreData
As funds become less able to differentiate purely on performance in a world of benchmarking, CoreData founder Andrew Inwood says service standards have become the new key to member retention. Quality UX for members may stop them from switching, which large industry funds are particularly at risk of, his research suggests.
MSCI names former UBS executive as ANZ head
MSCI has appointed former UBS executive Shane Edwards as its managing director and head of Australia and New Zealand client coverage.
‘Perfect storm’ for super funds as administrators feel squeeze
The touchy subject of member service is set to receive fresh scrutiny as regulators warn that funds will be held responsible for mistakes made by third-party service providers. In a series of in-depth interviews, Investment Magazine unpacks the root cause of the super sector’s administration problems and the steps some funds are taking to address it.
Kaplan to offer three new designations
Industry education provider Kaplan Professional has partnered with the College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan US company, to offer three globally-recognised designations in Australia.
LGT Crestone expands Adelaide presence
Wealth company LGT Crestone has appointed Ben Potter as partner, investment adviser to its Adelaide office.
Aussies confident in finding best retirement product themselves: FSC
The majority of Australians (87 per cent) trust themselves to choose the right retirement product over the government, a Financial Services Council poll has found.
‘Heads on spikes’: Group insurance comes under fire
Coalition MP Andrew Bragg has gone on a talkback radio spray about group insurance settings, accusing super funds of dragging their feet on death benefit payments to members and the government of being too soft on APRA. Meanwhile, REST faces a class action over default income protection arrangements, furthering scrutiny of the sector.
Super policy high on reconciliation agenda post-referendum
Indigenous leader, author and activist Thomas Mayo said superannuation policy was a feature in a disinformation campaign against constitutional recognition at the referendum. Mayo urged the super sector to continue to listen to First Nations communities on retirement issues even without a formal Voice to Parliament.
Young women more likely to be stressed about cost of living
Data from ASIC’s Moneysmart has found that Gen Z (aged 18 to 26) women are more likely than Gen Z men (87 to 77 per cent) to be severely stressed about the cost of living, while the generation as a whole reported feeling overwhelmed by finances and money.
Aware Real Estate launches inner Sydney BTR development
Aware Real Estate, a subsidiary of Aware Super, is set to develop 135 apartments in Sydney inner suburb Zetland as the fund expands its built-to-rent portfolio.
For super funds, with great AI power comes great responsibility
For all of the perceived and actual benefits of AI – and there are many, and they are significant – there are risks and a much greater need for great governance, clear accountability and robust safeguards. The methods for introducing AI models to businesses don’t necessarily follow traditional innovation paths, which presents another set of challenges, says KPMG responsible AI lead Melinda Rankin.
