Despite all the hype before 6th April 2015 (how can we forget the commentary on pensioners cashing in their pensions and buying Lamborghinis?), we are now starting to see strong themes emerging in the market post pension freedoms. ABI data published in November 2015 reveals that investors have withdrawn £4.7billion since April 2015 and are... MORE
Stephen Fice, Head of Operations for Bravura Solutions’ Global Transfer Agency business, examines the commercial drivers for technology migration. He shares his insight into how to manage the winning formula of achieving a quick and manageable transition. Technology migration projects are sometimes viewed as a major undertaking fraught with risk and uncertainty. However, there comes... MORE
Another day, another Robo Advice headline. It’s a human truth: we love to dissect a new trend and debate its merits. Internet communication amplifies this and we risk developing a distorted view of priorities; in particular, how to fill the growing mass-market advice gap. Here’s some context: type in Robo Advice and Google returns over... MORE
In a superannuation landscape where downward pressure on fees is a constant challenge, an increasing number of funds are seeking to gain a competitive edge by bringing parts of their investment management in-house. Traditionally, Australian super schemes have engaged specialist fund managers to manage money on their behalf across a range of asset classes –... MORE
Rapid technology evolution, shifting demographics and empowered consumers are trends well documented in academic and business journals alike. But what do they mean for the transfer agency (TA) sector? To an established market, it may well feel as though the natural order is turning on its head. Fund managers and advisers are launching robo-advice propositions... MORE
The Federal Government this week accepted the majority of recommendations in Murray’s Financial System Inquiry (FSI) report. Many recommendations have direct or implied technology impacts for financial services firms that, once legislated, will require changes to or investment in new systems. Below we present our take on some of the key recommendations and the likely... MORE
This isn’t a ‘should it, shouldn’t it’ question. For pensions, savings and investment businesses, the move to next generation technology is a strategic imperative if they’re to respond effectively to consumer demand and market innovation. Bluntly, it’s the only viable option to remain competitive. We’re familiar with the trend towards platforms. Fragmented consumer experience caused... MORE
As investors, we like to believe that we make rational financial decisions. Yet most Australians are still not on track to reach a comfortable level of income in retirement. Could the way in which the superannuation industry presents information to investors be indirectly contributing to this shortfall? In truth, our emotions and biases play a... MORE
In financial services ‘innovation’ is at risk of becoming another overused buzzword. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take it seriously. Without innovation customers vote with their feet and businesses fail. The problem with the term is that it means different things to different people. In our sector, innovation has often meant dreaming up complex product... MORE
The much anticipated 2015-16 Federal Budget was handed down last week and the good news for super funds and wealth administrators is that the impacts are fairly minimal. That said, it remains highly likely that further reforms are on the horizon, but I’ll come to that later. Firstly, let’s sift through the detail and identify... MORE