Robert MC Brown

Apr 21, 2023 | professionalplanner.com.au | Robert MC Brown |David Knox |Simon Hoyle |Neil Younger

Have you ever wondered why the process of reform is frustratingly slow, tentative and circuitous? It shouldn’t be, you might think, because the need to remove costly and ineffective bureaucracy in financial advice is obvious and urgent, isn’t it? Surely, it’s a “no brainer” that consumers should have the benefit of lower cost advice delivered by well-educated professional financial advisers that make up the profession in 2023. So why doesn’t it happen?

Apr 13, 2023 | professionalplanner.com.au | Ben Walsh |Simon Hoyle |Paul Moran |Robert MC Brown

A recent report by PwC outlines the growth trajectory of the ETF market and the areas of focus for asset managers, including active ETFs, thematic ETFs, and ESG ETFs.The report also acknowledges hurdles confronting the growth of the industry. The views expressed are based on the opinions of more than 70 ETF executives from all major markets in the world.

Apr 5, 2023 | professionalplanner.com.au | Neil Younger |David Bell |Simon Hoyle |Robert MC Brown

For all of 2022 and the start of 2023, the industry was focused on the Quality of Advice Review. Considerable time and energy has gone into reading consultation papers, attending briefings and preparing submissions. This is not a complaint. The advice review is an important, much-needed look at the effectiveness of the regulatory framework. It promises to significantly reduce complexity in the system, ease the compliance burden on advice businesses and improve advice accessibility and affordability.

Mar 9, 2023 | professionalplanner.com.au | Simon Hoyle |Robert MC Brown |Claudia Pritchitt |Neil Younger

Financial advisers have a mixed track record when it comes to understanding what “last resort” means. Whether it’s a Buyer Of Last Resort scheme or a Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, there’s always some who’ll see it as first option rather than a final one.

Mar 7, 2023 | professionalplanner.com.au | Robert MC Brown |Simon Hoyle |Claudia Pritchitt |Neil Younger

Over the last two decades I’ve been deeply involved in designing and delivering financial education programs to tens of thousands of ordinary Australians. Throughout that time, the major recurring topic and feedback from participants of all ages and career stages has been the difficulty they experience in finding affordable and trusted financial advice. Note the two criteria are “affordable” and “trusted”.