Hospitality industry funds Hostplus and Club Super have announced they are in merger discussions.
The two funds issued a formal announcement declaring the discussion and that they had entered into a memorandum of understanding to formally pursue discussions and undertake a comprehensive due diligence process.
It said it was anticipated this would lead to the two funds’ trustees signing a successor fund transfer deed approving the merger of Hostplus and Club Super.
The announcement said that as industry funds with a common member profit heritage and history, and focus on serving the hospitality, tourism, recreation and sporting sectors, both funds believed there is a strong alignment between the organisations which when combined are expected to deliver greater benefits and outcomes for their members.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.
The super fund has urged reform of the superannuation performance test to support investment in housing, clean energy, and emerging local industries.
Morningstar expects the Reserve Bank will still make around three cuts in this cycle, bringing the cash rate to a neutral level of around 3 per cent.
Economists have tipped inflation to ease further, but any upside surprise in the June quarter CPI could derail the Reserve Bank’s plans.