Advisers’ vigilance against cyber criminals critical over summer break

Advisers are being warned about cyber criminals ramping up activity over the holidays.

NZ Financial Services Group (NZFSG) is urging its 1,000 advisers to exercise high alert for sophisticated, seasonal scams. 

The warning, comes from principal security consultant Laura Bennett, drawing on emerging domestic and international threat intelligence as well as a cyber security snapshot from NZFSG’s own advisers.

“This time is frequently exploited by hackers and scammers ...MORE»

RBNZ: new rules will mean lower interest rates for borrowers Wednesday, December 17th, 1:19PM  2 comments The Reserve Bank says banks and other deposit takers will need about $5 billion less equity than currently under its new capital rules and that it expects its new settings to be passed on to New Zealanders through increased lending and lower interest rates. MORE»

Investing for Impact: Growing wealth while creating meaningful change Monday, December 15th, 4:07PM Impact investing has accelerated rapidly in recent years, supported by growing interest in directing capital toward projects that deliver measurable social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns. MORE»

Opes censured by FMA for poor practices

High-profile property advice firm Opes has been censured by the FMA for failing to comply with a number of obligations under its Financial Advice Provider licence.

Christchurch-based Opes is not a traditional financial planning firm, It runs a vertically integrated model combining property sales, investment planning, mortgage advice, and accounting and property management.

“The business model creates a risk of conflict of interest between the financial advice provider and the client, making adequate policies and procedures in this area, and the implementation ...MORE»

AI financial advice maybe breaching the law Thursday, December 11th, 7:42AM  1 comment Do AI’s responses fit with New Zealand’s financial advice laws? MORE»

Booster's innovation fund grows its pipeline of opportunities Thursday, December 11th, 6:04AM The Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) has added a third university to the group of strategic partnerships it has with universities. MORE»

News Bites

Castlepoint funds take unexpected hit

Two of Castlepoint's funds have taken an unexpected hit following accounting irregularities in one of their long term holdings, Corporate Travel Management (CTD). MORE»

GoodReturns TV

Fisher Funds moves to woo advisers back

After years of neglecting the adviser market, the investment manager is going on the charm offensive.   MORE»

Investing for Impact: Growing wealth while creating meaningful change

Impact investing has accelerated rapidly in recent years, supported by growing interest in directing capital toward projects that deliver measurable social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns. MORE»

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MDRT Academy tightens criteria after first NZ year

Rick Willis says smaller groups with seasoned mentors and stricter selection criteria will help the programme achieve better results, with 60-70 mentees expected in 2026. MORE»

TMM Online

Another blow to advisers over trail commissions

Mortgage advisers have been given more bad news over trail commissions just before Christmas. MORE»

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OMNIMax appoints a new development manager; Jason Butler Departs

OMNIMax, a leading provider of SaaS solutions for the financial services industry, has appointed Tristan Misselbrook to the position of Development Manager. MORE»

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Paying advisers for KiwiSaver advice

Amova (nee Nikko) has rolled out a new remuneration option for advisers offering KiwiSaver advice. MORE»