The ‘kids’ inheriting older clients’ wealth might soon be retirees themselves
The conventional wisdom that the kids of advisers’ oldest clients stand to inherit their wealth might be overlooking the fact that by the time it happens these “kids” are likely to be near or in retirement themselves. The 2026 Generational Report suggests that advisers and businesses looking for a client refresh could be better off focusing on the grandchildren.
Why advisers are ditching big firms for more personalised client service
Shaw and Partners has grown from 100 advisers and $4 billion under management in 2015 to more than 200 advisers and more than $50 billion today. Head of private wealth Chris Smith explains why advisers are leaving bigger firms and what’s driving demand for broader wealth advice.
Industry tensions over who will lead on cyber governance standards
The Financial Services Council has criticised the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour for applying to the country’s consumer watchdog for an exemption to negotiate with third-party vendors on behalf of all super funds. The government has deferred to the associations to work together on creating a standard, but the dispute raises questions over whether the industry can self-regulate.
Something’s wrong when the biggest bill lands with the smallest players
Advice networks are the least “valuable” links in the wealth management chain, yet when something goes wrong they’re too often left to carry the can, even when a failure is not their fault. Unless this flaw is addressed, we will still be here in five years’ time talking about the same thing: all that will have changed is the names of the players involved.
‘Complementary, not competing’: Nexia Sydney on new class of advisers
Audit, wealth and tax firm Nexia Sydney eyes “significant” growth by 2030 across the business and believes the need for fully qualified professional advisers will remain strong despite the introduction of the new class of advisers.
Named, but not accused: ASIC’s warning that isn’t a warning
When ASIC warns consumers to take care when dealing with a service provider but doesn’t explain to them why, it does not support informed decision-making. The information published should be sufficiently precise to let the reader understand what is known and what is not and why the warning has been issued.
Radical transformation needed for golden era of advice
To significantly increase the profession’s capacity to serve, there must be transformation in three key areas starting with education reform. Technology must also empower advisers to spend more time winning and seeing clients, and advice must be available in different forms, Entireti’s Neil Younger writes.
Industry
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Adviser numbers to settle at 14.8k by 2030: Wealth Data
Adviser researcher Padua Wealth Data expects the number of advisers in Australia to reach 14,796 by 2030. Current adviser numbers have stabilised around the 15,000 mark after the fallout from the Hayne royal commission and the introduction of professional standards saw five-figure departures from the industry.
How AI use is reshaping financial advice consumption
ASIC’s 2026-27 Corporate Plan and new research by McCrindle touch on the consumer impact of AI-generated financial advice, reinforcing the expression “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Professional advisers are spending an increasing amount of time unwinding beliefs and misconceptions caused by AI and re-educating clients.
Nasdaq leadership enters its next phase
AI-led earnings growth and a historic investment cycle continue to place the Nasdaq’s largest companies at the centre of global equity markets. But for advisers, the question is increasingly not whether to participate in the theme, but how much concentration is appropriate – and where the next phase of returns may come from.
Researcher Forum
Advice Policy Summit
This event is open to CEOs and senior leaders of financial planning licensees, dealer groups and boutique advice firms, along with C-suite executives in superannuation funds with oversight of advice, education and guidance.
Akumin wants to support ambitious quality firms
Akumin has welcomed firms with as few as two advisers to more than 100 in 2026, CEO Matt Lawler tells Professional Planner that the licensee’s growth strategy is focused on the ambitions and quality of potential target firms, not their size.
Shadforth is buying businesses, not books
Not even a year on from its acquisition of Melbourne-based financial advice firm PMD Financial Advisers, Shadforth is still looking for M&A opportunities but strictly to add like-minded advisers, rather than just client books. CEO Terry Dillon tells Professional Planner what those ideal businesses looks like.
How pro-bono work helped adviser Nicola Beswick create new firm
Lawyer turned financial adviser Nicola Beswick recently launched her own financial firm White Rabbit Advisory. Through her experience on the board of the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network, she learned valuable lessons which helped her navigate the challenges of setting up her own business.
On Practice