Half a million AustralianSuper members will retire in the coming decade. To help them prepare and meet its retirement income covenant obligations, the nation’s largest fund will shortly unveil a new product in partnership with life insurers and is urging Treasury to make the system simpler to navigate.
Retail workers industry fund REST has ramped up its impact and strategic alternatives allocations through an investment in the agriculture focused Cibus Fund II.
Life insurer TAL has announced the 2024 course program for TAL Risk Academy, an education platform for financial advisers, professional year candidates, and support staff.
Advice network Count has acquired Solutions Centric, an Australian company that provides offshore accounting, tax and SMSF services out of India.
Former Challenger retirement income chair and lead of the eponymous Cooper Review under the Rudd government, Jeremy Cooper, has joined Bennelong Funds Management as non-executive director.
Fintech company Block Earner has been found by the federal court to have engaged in unlicensed financial services conduct when offering its crypto-backed Earner product.
Aware Super chair Sam Mostyn told the Investment Magazine Chair Forum that if funds can’t support members well enough as they move into retirement, they run the risk of being perceived as “just big rapacious engines” and no better than the banks and insurers of the early 2000s. Allianz Retire+ director Bernie Ripoll and Equity Trustees Super chair Catherine Robson said funds can look to tech developments in the adjacent financial advice and wealth platforms space for inspiration.
Bitcoin miners are presenting themselves as climate and ESG champions, citing the many ways they are able to support investment in renewable energy projects, reduce GHG emissions and promote social inclusion around the world. Not everyone holds the same view.
Former Sunsuper and AMP Australia boss Scott Hartley has been named as Renato Mota’s successor as CEO of Insignia Financial. Widely considered the frontrunner for the job, industry figures say Hartley’s drive and tenacity give him a shot at success in what is possibly the wealth management industry’s most difficult job.
When it comes to taking a public stance on investment or social issues, Australian Retirement Trust chair Andrew Fraser has warned super funds against waging campaigns via the press, suggesting things can get out of control very quickly. Meanwhile, Mercer Super director Sue O’Connor and Qantas Super chair John Atkin urged funds to ensure their own backyards were in order before making public claims or creeds.
More financial advisers are favouring low-cost ETFs, with nearly a third (31 per cent) of their buying volumes directed to ETFs in 2023, according to trading platform AUSIEX.
Kiwi sovereign wealth fund NZ Super is edging close to NZ$70 billion ($65 billion) in total assets, ending the calendar year with 16.03 per cent pre-tax return.
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