FS Advice

Protecting vulnerable clients

SEAN GRAHAM   Elder financial abuse and domestic financial abuse are issues that are increasingly recognised as part of the duty of care of financial advisers and Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees.

Looking out for vulnerable clients

SEAN GRAHAM   Financial abuse rarely introduces itself. It does not always come with signs you can tick off on a checklist. But it is more common than most people realise- and growing fast.

New Zealand as a funds destination

DENNIS MOTHONEOS, MICHAEL NEGLINE, PENNY SHEERIN   Clearway Capital Solutions differenctiates the unique characteristics of the New Zealand market from Australia and highlights why it provides an attractive destination for fund managers.

Trends in private infrastructure

MANSI PATEL   As infrastrcuture deal flow continues to increase, investors are expected to allocate more capital towards high yield and selective emerging markets, which are providing "attracive" risk-adjusted returns.

The last question you should ask first

DREW BROWNE   It is a uniquely Australian experience. Every few years, the north-eastern coast of Australia is devastated by catastrophic floods or bushfires.

ASIC puts life companies on notice to improve sales practices

GABOR PAPDI, SIMUN SOLJO   ASIC issued a 'Dear CEO' letter to life companies on 18 August 20251, setting out key observations from a recently completed review of direct sales practices of life companies-although we think the issues raised have broader application for all insurers.

AI isn't new, but the competitive gap it creates is

JOSHUA LEE   Advice firms that fail to adopt innovative approach risk falling behind their peers.

Turning data into growth for wealth managers

CLIVE FERNANDES   As the super industry continues to evolve, innovation becomes the centralised focus for continued growth in client acquisition and retention.

Tips for categorising workers for super

MICHAEL CHAAYA   Super benefits can vary largely between employees and independent contractors, Corrs Chambers Westgarth says.

AI in member retention

CLIVE FERNANDES   While attracting new members is difficult, retaining them can be even more challenging, as Admins Special Accounts chief executive Clive Fernandes pinpoints exactly where AI can help.

Aged care reforms and the former home

SEAN HOWARD   Although the format of a former home assessment did not change following the November reform, it carries important components on the calculations of onging costs.

Changes to the retirement condition of release

STUART SHEARY   The most common condition of release to access a personal superannuation account is reaching preservation age and retiring.

Valuations for social security and aged care

JENNIFER BROOKHOUSE   The accurate valuation of clients' assets is extremely important as it can impact their tax, social security and aged care outcomes.

Administering life interests in a changing world

RAFFAEL MAESTRI   Trustees tasked with administering long-standing life estates frequently encounter the challenge of reconciling rigid testamentary language with evolving beneficiary needs, particularly where aged care and residential transitions are involved.

Scaling advice businesses

SEAN GRAHAM   While automation provides efficency for businesses, licensees need to be mindful of the potential implications it brings.

Services agreements in financial services

ALISON REES   Licensees can face unique risks across legal, operational, and regulatory areas, depending on their business type.

Financial planning in blended families

JANET MANZANERO-CARUANA   Blended families introduce unique emotional and financial challenges that require careful consideration.

Family charter essentials

HENRY BRANDTS-GIESEN, EDWARD MARSHALL   Family charters are important components to families' governance structure.

Personality profiling

NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS   Understanding personality traits and types can be a gamechanger for your professional relationships and personal growth.

Using influencers in the digital age

LYNDA DOWLING   This paper focuses on influencer marketing, specifically prohibitions related to the provision of unauthorised financial services, inducement and referral selling, misleading and deceptive conduct, and engaging in unconscionable conduct.