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23 February 2025
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Former ACCC Chairman, Allan Fels, reveals the large 'loyalty taxes' in the insurance industry, where existing customers pay much higher prices than the specials aimed at new accounts.
Amid the Royal Commission words like toxicity, rot, darkness and attrition, the super industry must rebuild trust with accessible, open and candid communication, and stop scoring own goals.
Nobel Laureate, Robert C. Merton, says technology and fintechs will find it difficult to build trust, but how much trust do we have in "the contradiction of the country’s most hated company"?
Despite the commonly held views that Australians hate banks, market research shows the vast majority are satisfied with their bank. Same with super funds. What about bank managers and financial advisers?
Consumers of financial products are increasingly willing to place their trust in new intermediaries, including fintechs driving change with innovation and consumer-driven processes.
Success in wealth management requires meeting client demands for performance, engagement and trust. There are key areas where established businesses are out of step with client expectations.
While encouraging people to draw down on their accumulated wealth in retirement might be good public policy, several million retirees disagree because they are purposefully conserving that capital. It’s time for a different approach.
This examines the performance of key asset classes and sub-sectors in 2024 and over longer timeframes, and the lessons that can be drawn for constructing an investment portfolio for the next decade.
The CIO of Australia’s fourth largest super fund by assets, John Pearce, suggests the odds favour a flat year for markets, with the possibility of a correction of 10% or more. However, he’ll use any dip as a buying opportunity.
Getting regular, growing income from stocks is tougher with the dividend yield on the ASX nearing 25-year lows. Here are some conventional and not-so-conventional ideas for investors wanting to build a dividend portfolio.
Australians are used to hearing dire warnings that they don't have enough saved for a comfortable retirement. Yet most people need to save a lot less than you might think — as long as they meet an important condition.
It’s well documented that many retirees draw down the minimum amount required and die with much of their super balances untouched. This explores the reasons why and some potential solutions to address the issue.