While almost all financial planning organisations have signed up to the new Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), many superannuation funds appear to be dragging their feet.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has revealed that almost all Financial Ombudsman Scheme (FOS) members which include financial planning firms had effectively transferred their membership to AFCA.
However, it noted that about 80 per cent of members of the Credit and Investments Ombudsman Scheme and about 64 per cent of superannuation trustees and retirement savings accounts providers had also joined up.
ASIC confirmed the status of the organisations which had signed up to AFCA while announcing it had approved the AFCA Complaint Resolution Scheme Rules and the Terms of Reference of the AFCA Independent Assessor (IA).
Firms are statutorily obliged to join the AFCA scheme by 21 September.
The superannuation industry was broadly opposed to having the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT) wound down with its functions being included with the AFCA framework.
BlackRock boss Larry Fink praised Australia’s superannuation system in his annual chairman’s letter.
The prudential regulator has announced it will publish new expenditure data of superannuation funds, providing details on expenses like advice, director remuneration, and payments to unions.
Affirming the UK’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination, a number of Australia’s largest investors recently joined the UK Foreign Secretary for an exclusive briefing in Canberra to discuss further opportunities for trade and growth.
The specialist superannuation law advisory practice is set to wind up, with managing partner Jonathan Steffanoni planning to bring a new offering to market.
Add new comment