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9 October 2025
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Imagine receiving an email from your bank demanding to know if you keep cash at home and threatening to freeze your accounts if you don't respond in seven days. This happened to me and it raises disturbing questions.
An excellent response rate gives a good sample of the attitudes of our readers to the Royal Commission's recommendations. We also include some written comments in the responses.
Most financial advisers will say they have faced an increased level of scrutiny from clients due to the Royal Commission. The test is how the industry wins back trust.
One estimate puts the cost of compliance with regulations at $95 billion p.a. plus self-imposed red tape at an additional $160 billion. New developments in 'regtech' offer hope that this tsunami can turn into a gentler wave.
The Centre for International Finance and Regulation (CIFR) recently hosted a conference on the Financial Systems Inquiry, and has just released videos of the sessions with many high profile speakers.
Senior executives from ASIC, APRA and the ATO spoke recently on the evolution of superannuation and the wealth management industry.
LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.
Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?
This week, I got the news that my mother has dementia. It came shortly after my father received the same diagnosis. This is a meditation on getting old and my regrets in not getting my parents’ affairs in order sooner.
Retirement can be daunting for Australians facing financial uncertainty. Understand your goals, longevity challenges, inflation impacts, market risks, and components of retirement income with these crucial charts.
Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.
Australia's superannuation system faces a 'Rubicon' moment, a turning point where the focus is shifting from accumulation phase to retirement readiness, but unfortunately, many funds are not rising to the challenge.