Market valuations have emerged as a crucial area in the SMSF sector, particularly in light of regulatory changes and heightened ATO scrutiny. The looming spectre of Division 296 further complicates the landscape, particularly regarding the methodology used for valuations.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser Podcast, host Aaron Dunn, chief executive of Smarter SMSF, is joined by industry stalwart Shelley Banton, head of technical for ASF Audits, to delve into the changing expectations for valuations and meeting the challenging compliance requirements.

Listen as they discuss:

• The complexity of market valuations, especially for assets that lack readily available market data.
• Concerns around private credit.
• Practical solutions that may support auditors.
• The shift in expectations for the auditing profession.

In the latest episode of Relative Return Insider, host Maja Garac Djurdjevic and AMP’s Shane Oliver break down US and Australian rate cuts, soaring gold, and bitcoin’s volatility.

The pair also discuss how perception drives value in finance, drawing a parallel to Money Heist, where the illusion of gold shapes outcomes just as confidence in central banks sustains financial systems.

They also explore:

• Reserve Bank of Australia and US Federal Reserve rate cut outlooks.
• Gold and bitcoin as investment hedges.
• Finding true portfolio diversification.
• Impacts of Aussie bank cost-cutting

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Shail Singh, lead ombudsman for investments and advice at AFCA, for a deep dive into two of the most complex – and crucial – pillars of financial consumer protection: the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort.

From resolving disputes early and rebuilding client relationships to tackling large-scale cases like Dixon Advisory, Singh sheds light on how AFCA operates and the challenges posed by mounting case volumes.

The discussion also unpacks the role of the CSLR in firm failures, deadline-driven complaint surges, and the often-confusing treatment of self-managed super funds under retail versus wholesale classifications.

Hear about:

• AFCA’s approach to resolving disputes and why early resolution is encouraged.
• The challenges of the CSLR in handling firm failures and complaint deadlines.
• What advisers need to know about SMSF classifications, multi-party disputes, and managing risk.

In the latest episode of the Relative Return Insider, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and AMP’s chief economist Shane Oliver unpack the surprising twists in the Australian economy, diving into the latest GDP numbers, what’s really driving consumer spending, and what it all means for the Reserve Bank’s next moves.

Australia’s economy showed unexpected resilience in the June quarter, growing 0.6 per cent, above expectations and nudging the annual growth rate to 1.8 per cent. But is this growth sustainable, or just a temporary spike driven by cyclone recovery, end-of-year sales, and even the launch of a new Nintendo console?

Oliver weighs in on the short-term boosters versus long-term trends.

They also explore:

• How government spending and defence exercises shaped the GDP numbers.
• The likely trajectory for consumer spending as temporary factors fade.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia’s potential interest rate moves amid stronger-than-expected CPI numbers.
• The broader impact of global shocks and economic uncertainty.
• What Australian super funds are doing and why independent investment decisions matter.
• The latest ASX earnings season and what it signals for investors.

In this episode of Relative Return, host Laura Dew chats with Roy Keenan, co-head of fixed income at Yarra Capital Management, to discuss the evolving fixed income asset class, his sector preferences, and the RBA’s rate-cutting policy.

Listen as they discuss:

• The defensive characteristics of fixed income.
• Market volatility triggered by US President Donald Trump.
• The “chase for yield” mentality prompted by interest rate cuts.
• Impact of the transition from AT1 securities.
• Credit spread tightening from the expansion of private credit funds.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford sits down with David Berry, inaugural CEO of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, to unpack the challenges of protecting investors when financial advice goes wrong.

They discuss high-profile failures like Dixon Advisory, Shield, and First Guardian, and the legislative and regulatory changes needed to ensure the CSLR’s long-term sustainability.

Tune in to hear:

• The complexities of addressing financial firm failures, including Dixon Advisory and United Global Capital.
• Legislative and regulatory improvements that could strengthen the CSLR for the future.
• How transparency and ethical advice are crucial to maintaining trust in the financial advice profession.

The updated rules on when a pension commences and ceases have created confusion in the SMSF sector. On this week’s episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Aaron Dunn and Keith Ford delve into the intricacies of TR2013/5 with Tim Miller, head of education and technical for Smarter SMSF.

Miller explains how the revised ruling, which was updated in June 2024, primarily reflects changes from the super reforms introduced on 1 July 2017. He provides a fresh perspective on what needs to happen when a super income stream fails to meet the pension standards for a financial year, particularly with minimum pension requirements.

Listen as they discuss:

• How the consequences of failing to meet pension standards have become more stringent.
• The trust law aspect of pensions.
• The importance of understanding the minimum pension obligation and the consequences of failing to meet it.
• The retrospective application of these rules.
• The complexities surrounding TRIS.
• The time frame for losing ECPI beyond the traditional 12 months.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Hayes & Co Insurance Services financial adviser Trish Gregory joins host Keith Ford to explain the importance of childhood trauma policies, how they can help parents through a child’s significant health issues and why more advisers should be keeping them top of mind for their clients.

Gregory details the benefits of the somewhat niche policy and what advisers need to know about the relatively straightforward process to set the coverage up, as well as the value of having an expert on hand at claim time.

Tune in to hear:

• Why the ability to transfer a childhood trauma policy to an adult policy with no underwriting can be so valuable.
• The broader issues with fewer financial advisers working in risk advice.
• How advisers who don’t write a lot of risk should lean on insurer’s business development managers.
• Why there needs to be a more transparent system for professional year candidates.