Financial Services Podcast Network

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn get out their crystal balls and take a look at what 2024 has in store for the SMSF sector.

On the back of a busy year for SMSF professionals that included a host of changes across a wide range of areas, the expectation is for more of the same as consultations and proposed government changes start being solidified.

Listen as they discuss:

• How the Retirement Income Covenant will impact the SMSF sector.
• The stage three tax cuts and upcoming federal budget.
• What to expect in the wake of the government’s final Quality of Advice Review announcement.

In this episode of Relative Return, hosts Charbel Kadib and Laura Dew reflect on the year that was, unpacking major developments across financial markets and the financial services industry over the course of 2023.  

Listen as they discuss:

• The Quality of Advice Review and its implications on the provision of financial advice.
• Legislative developments and proposed reforms to the superannuation industry.
• The impact of macroeconomic volatility on financial markets.
• The performance of key investment asset classes.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by journalist Keith Ford to take a look at the government’s newly announced policy stance on the second and third tranches of the QAR.

The pair discuss everything that has come out of Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones’ Canberra announcement, which was met with disbelief from the advice community.

Listen as they discuss:

• The new class of “qualified advisers” that institutions will be able to employ – and why that term should change.
• How the profession has reacted to the announcement.
• Whether the negative attention on the controversial elements overshadowed the positive.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn reflect on the major issues and changes in the SMSF sector throughout 2023, including regulatory measures that have been finalised and more that were announced.

This year was a big year for SMSF professionals as the government announced shake-ups in a number of areas, with the major talking points including the $3 million super tax, the objective of super, resolution of the NALE/I measures, and much more.

Listen as they discuss:

• How the SMSF sector was impacted by the biggest events of 2023.
• The key areas covered on the SMSF Adviser Show over the last 30 episodes.
• The top stories, strategy, and podcasts throughout the year.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by journalist Keith Ford to take a look at the government’s newly announced policy stance on the second and third tranches of the QAR.

The pair discuss everything that has come out of Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones’ Canberra announcement, which was met with disbelief from the advice community.

Listen as they discuss:

• The new class of “qualified advisers” that institutions will be able to employ – and why that term should change.
• How the profession has reacted to the announcement.
• Whether the negative attention on the controversial elements overshadowed the positive.

In this episode of Relative Return, James Harwood, senior portfolio manager at Russell Investments, joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the burgeoning ETF space and how the asset class can form part of an investment portfolio.

Listen as they discuss:

• The core features and benefits of ETFs.
  The role of ETFs in a portfolio diversification strategy.
  The rise of active ETF strategies.
  The outlook for the ETF market and potential growth areas.
  The benefits of exposure to multiple ETF providers.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Kerry Ong, the general manager of customer wealth at Iress, to discuss improving the efficiency and accessibility of financial advice in Australia.

Mr Ong touches on the significant challenges facing the industry, including regulatory changes and cost pressures, which have necessitated doing more with less, as well as how Iress is responding by enhancing its software and services to better align with evolving business models.

Listen as they discuss:

• How the quality of advice review and subsequent legislative changes have underscored the need for more accessible advice.
• The findings of the Iress 2023 Financial Advice Efficiency Report.
• Iress’ new community platform, Advisely, which aims to foster peer-to-peer discussion and connect advisers with industry experts.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn discuss the possible pathway for advisers to enter the industry through super funds and progressing from limited advice to fully licensed advisers.

On the back of Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones floating the idea that non-relevant providers working in super funds could help increase adviser numbers, the pair look at the possible impacts for SMSFs and whether it could lay a foundation for future SMSF advisers.

Listen as they discuss:

• The ATO’s recently announced illegal early access estimate.
• The September quarter SMSF establishment and wind-up stats from the ATO.
• How the delay in finalising the NALI/E legislation will impact super and the possibility of changes.

In this episode of Relative Return, host Keith Ford speaks to the managing partner of Metrics Credit Partners, Andrew Lockhart, about the benefits of private markets exposure in a diversified investment portfolio.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why private markets investing is so attractive in the current environment.
• How Metrics Credit Partners identifies lucrative investment opportunities in private debt and private equity.
• The strategies leveraged to mitigate market risks.
• How to best position private debt in an investment portfolio.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by the general manager of consulting at Elixir, Sue Viskovic, to discuss her recent business merger, the evolving landscape of financial advice, and the role of technology in shaping the industry’s future.

Ms Viskovic explains the strategic decision to merge with Vital Business Partners (VBP), which brings greater access to capital, the ability to scale more rapidly, and ultimately, provide better and more efficient services to advice firms.

Listen as they discuss:

• What changes with a move into a new role, and what doesn’t.
• The potential of AI in the financial advice sector, particularly around automating business processes and improving efficiency.
• The government’s first Quality of Advice Review draft legislation.

Following the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we’re catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space.

In this episode, we chat to Rebecca Warren, executive general manager of small-business banking at CommBank, about how she navigated a historically male-dominated industry over her 20-year career and why she believes inclusion and diversity are not just morally imperative, but key to achieving superior business results.

Tune in to find out:

• Why she loves commercial finance.
• The secret power of ‘quiet achievers’.
• How CommBank is creating a more inclusive and supportive work culture.

And much more!

In this episode of Relative Return, host Charbel Kadib speaks to Steven Tang and Damien Hennessy of Zenith Investment Partners about portfolio construction and asset allocation.

Listen as they discuss:

• Is portfolio construction an art or science?
• The importance of selecting the right blend of products for different portfolios.
• Rebalancing portfolios to perform in different market environments.
• Being “cycle aware” with asset allocation and watching the signals.
• The role of strategic versus dynamic asset allocation.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by journalist Keith Ford to take a look at the first tranche of legislation for the government’s Delivering Better Financial Outcomes package of reforms.

The pair discuss what is included in the draft legislation announced by Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones – and what isn’t. They also break down the minister’s comments and how advisers have reacted to the news.

Listen as they discuss:

• The notable omission of measures relating to statements of advice and the removal of safe harbour provisions.
• The response from industry bodies and advice associations.
• What’s next for the Quality of Advice Review reforms.

Following the Women in Finance Summit and Awards 2023, we’re catching up with some of the leading women in the financial services space.

In this episode, we chat to Suzanne Wood, state general manager residential broker Victoria/Tasmania at Westpac Group (and state chair of the Women of Westpac employee advocacy group), about how she climbed the career ladder in banking and the power of having strong female role models.

Tune in to find out:

• How she learnt the art of having difficult conversations.
• The perils of unconscious bias and how to tackle them.
• How Westpac is supporting women through the Women of Westpac employee advocacy group.

And much more!

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by Peter Burgess, chief executive officer at the SMSF Association, to break down the regulatory landscape for SMSFs.

Mr Burgess explains the SMSF Association’s position on division 296 – the government’s proposed $3 million super tax – including where the major issues lie as well as alternative methods if the government moves ahead with the reforms.

Listen as they discuss:

• Suggestions to avoid taxation of unrealised gains.
• Lobbying efforts from the SMSF Association to attempt to change or block parts of the legislation.
• The government’s first draft legislation from the Quality of Advice Review.

In this episode of Relative Return, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic speaks to John Julian, fund manager of the Dexus Core Infrastructure Fund, to discuss infrastructure opportunities and the outlook for real assets.

Listen as they discuss:

• The risk and return drivers of infrastructure.
• Why Melbourne Airport has been a strong performer despite lockdowns.
• How infrastructure can provide a hedge against eroding revenues.
• Understanding the needs and concerns of advisers around investing in an illiquid asset class.
• Positioning for a rising rate environment.

In this episode of Relative Return, hosts Charbel Kadib and Laura Dew chat to Adam Alexander, portfolio manager at Schroders, about Australian equities and why separately managed accounts are ideal for financial advisers.

Listen as they discuss:

• The benefits of a separately managed account (SMA) structure.
• Sectors he favours within Australian equities.
• Why a highly concentrated portfolio of 20–25 equities is ideal for SMAs.
• Positioning the portfolio for the current market environment with rising interest rates.
• His future outlook on the asset class going into 2024.