The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, Aaa/AAA) today announced it is partnering with Westpac Banking Corporation and BNP Paribas to launch the first Sustainable Growth Bonds for Australian investors.
1 November 2018 - BT has launched a dedicated adviser hub, BT Open Services, offering advisers and licensees a range of services to support their advice practices.
The new ‘downsizer’ contributions strategy, allowing clients to top up their superannuation from the proceeds of the sale of their home is the top adviser query according to BT Financial Group’s Technical team in the September quarter. The interest is off the back of the introduction of the downsizer option which has been available since 1 July 2018.
BT Financial Group announced it has expanded its divestment from tobacco and controversial weapons, after extending its ESG exclusion framework to investment mandates for internally managed investments.
BT has enhanced its online quote and application software, LifeCENTRAL+, to make the process of applying for life insurance simpler and more efficient for advisers and their clients. LifeCENTRAL+ now allows advisers and their support teams to share information online, making collaboration easier and resulting in a more efficient way of running their businesses.
Managed accounts are growing in popularity among clients and advisers with year on year growth across the industry at 31 per cent1 and BT has reported a 250 per cent increase in funds under administration (FUA) on its Panorama managed account solutions over the same period.
BT has launched a new corporate super product, BT Super offering members investment choice from leading global fund managers and harnessing the digital capability of BT Panorama.
BT has introduced enhancements to its Protection Plans product suite, with increased life insurance cover for farmers and homemakers, reduced medical requirements for clients aged under 45, and updated medical definitions among the key features.
BT has expanded its flagship BT Panorama platform with the addition of new in-demand functionality and offers including Challenger annuities, providing an integrated solution for retirees, and CMA Saver, a cash management account with no transaction or administration fees.
Entries have officially opened for the 2019 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award. The prestigious award aims to identify and showcase Australia’s most promising emerging fashion designers and provide support in the form of financial means, access to services and mentoring.
BT Financial Group (BT) has launched a new Level Premium Policy Replacement process for BT Protection Plans, which allows clients to maintain their level premiums for their life insurance, even when the funding method or ownership structure of their policy changes.
BT Financial Group (BT) is today announcing three new initiatives:
- significant pricing changes to its flagship platform, BT Panorama
- the launch of a ‘compact’ BT Panorama offer
- an online adviser services hub, BT Open Services
Deductible personal superannuation contributions are the top query from financial advisers according to BT Financial Advice’s (BTFA) Technical team in the June quarter, following super reforms allowing more Australians to use this strategy and top up their retirement savings.
BT’s flagship investment platform, BT Panorama is the highest rated platform among financial advisers for its mobile access and app, according to new research from Investment Trends1 as the growth in digital demand
continues.
Customers of BT Financial Advice operating through the Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA networks (BT Financial Advisers) will benefit from the removal of grandfathered payments attributable to their BT products.
Westpac today acknowledges commencement of Federal Court proceedings by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in respect of one former financial adviser it reported to ASIC in 2015.
BT Financial Group (BT) today announced it supports a number of key draft recommendations in the Productivity Commission’s (PC) report into the $2.6 trillion superannuation industry which, if implemented, would save consumers $3.9 billion each year.
As more Australians invest their retirement savings in SMSFs, new research shows greater diversification of portfolios is needed, with only one in five advisers considering all their SMSF client portfolios well diversified.
BT has announced its flagship platform, BT Panorama, has passed $10 billion in funds under administration (FUA) securing its place as one of the fastest growing platforms in the market, while continuing to differentiate from heritage platforms.
In an address today at the 2018 Global Summit of Women, BT General Manager Superannuation, Melinda Howes highlighted that more support is needed when it comes to women and finances, with new research showing less than one fifth (18%) of women feel satisfied they are on track in preparing for their financial future.
Millennials (Gen Y and Z) are the most optimistic about their future with 74 per cent saying they will be in a better financial position in two years’ time despite rising cost of living pressures, says new research from BT Financial Group (BT).
BT Financial Group and the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) are proud to announce Albus Lumen, by Sydney based
designer Marina Afonina, as the winner of the BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award 2018.
BT Financial Group, together with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), are pleased to announce labels Albus Lumen, Double Rainbouu and Anna Quan as the finalists for the 2018 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award. With the first prize valued at $70,000, the winner will be announced at the BT Runway event on 28 March 2018, with all three finalists presenting their collections alongside some of Australia’s most successful designers.
BT Financial Group (BTFG) and the Financial Services Council (FSC) are encouraging women to consider financial advice as an interesting and rewarding career choice.
Clarification around transition to retirement income streams (TRIS) strategies have topped adviser queries according to BT Advice Technical’s September quarter round-up.
Advisers who have adopted managed accounts see considerable benefits including saving 14+ hours per week according to new research by BT and undertaken by Investment Trends.
BT Financial Group (BTFG) today announced changes to its Advice division designed to strengthen its focus on providing more Australians with quality advice.
Enquiries about changes to limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) have topped adviser queries according to BT Advice Technical’s June quarter round-up.
BT Financial Group has announced it is putting its advisers and leaders through The Ethics Centre’s Ethical Professional Program, with its first 500 due to complete the course by 30 June 2017.
Nearly a third of Australians say they always or often live pay cheque to pay cheque and 30 per cent are concerned about the amount they have to pay off for debts each month.
Kacey Devlin has been announced the winner of the 2017 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award at the BT Runway For Success event held last night at the Royal Hall of Industries in Sydney.
Westpac General Insurance said it has received more than 850 claims from customers affected by the storms and flooding impacting south east Queensland and northern NSW as a result of Cyclone Debbie.
In an update to the market today, Westpac Group reaffirmed that Wealth remains a strategic priority for the Group and it was continuing to invest to grow the business.
BT together with the Australian Fashion Chamber is pleased to announce labels We are Kindred, Kasey Devlin and Celeste Tesoriero as the finalists for the 2017 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award.
For the second year in a row, BT has won the Platinum Award – Life Company of the Year at the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) / Strategic Insights (SI) Life Company of the Year Awards, held in Sydney last night.
Women are taking charge of making financial decisions at home, but many still feel they don’t know enough about life insurance and remain underinsured.
Today BT Financial Group (BTFG) has delivered a step-change in managing clients’ superannuation, SMSFs and investments with the integration of superannuation and insurance on BT Panorama.
Australians’ love affair with self-managed super funds (SMSFs) continues with more than 1 in 10 saying they are either highly or quite likely to consider setting up an SMSF in 20171 according to new research from BT.
The death of a member need not spell the end of an SMSF, however if it is not set-up properly at the outset; having to wind-up an SMSF can be a headache for already grieving loved ones.