Headline:

Changes to foreign loss and tax credit rules could yield benefits

Abstract:

The placement of a complicated income class system with new rules relating to foreign losses and tax credits now make them much easier to use, resulting in benefits for those with foreign investments or managed funds.

Keywords:

Investment, tax

Category:

Finance

Headline:

Financial services associations team up to promote advisers

Abstract:

The Self Managed Superannuation Professionals Association of Australia and the Financial Planning Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to cooperate on policy, professional development and education.

Keywords:

Financial advice, superannuation, investment

Category:

Finance

Order code: 100809Natocompliance – Word count: 450 – Publish date: 11 August 2009

Headline:

ATO flags compliance priorities

Abstract:

Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo says the Australian Taxation Office will focus on supporting people during the economic downturn and dealing firmly with those who deliberately evade their tax and super obligations as its top priorities in its compliance program for the coming year.

Keywords:

ATO, compliance, accounting

Category:

Finance

Order code: 130709Nsuperadvice – Word count: 395 – Publish date: 13 July 2009

Headline:

Advice on super made simpler

Abstract:

Through a new ruling, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has made it possible for superannuation funds to provide simple advice to members – but the move has received a mixed response from the superannuation and investment community.

Keywords:

Superannuation, financial advice

Category:

Finance

Order code: 060709Nfinplancomm – Word count: 325 – Publish date: 6 July 2009

Headline:

Transparency on advice fees for super investors

Abstract:

Consumers will know exactly how much they are paying for financial advice in their superannuation and be able to opt in or out of types of advice, under the Investment and Financial Services Association’s new Super Charter.

Keywords:

Financial advice, superannuation, investment

Category:

Finance

Order code: 290609Nfinhardship – Word count: 299 – Publish date: 29 June 2009

Headline:

Financial institutions unite to act on hardship

Abstract:

All 144 retail banks, building societies and credit unions have now signed up to the Federal Government’s principles to assist borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the global recession.

Keywords:

Consumers, lending, mortgages

Category:

Finance

Order code: 220609Nnabaviva – Word count: 237 – Publish date: 22 June 2009

Headline:

NAB to take lead in wealth management with Aviva acquisition

Abstract:

National Australia Bank has announced it will acquire Aviva Australia Holdings’ wealth management business for $825 million, subject to approval by the ACCC.

Keywords:

Wealth management, financial advice

Category:

Finance

Order code: 190609Nequityportfolio – Word count: 550 – Publish date: 22 June 2009

Headline:

Wealthy investors to return to equities

Abstract:

Wealthy Australians have not abandoned the stockmarket completely following recent volatility, with the majority of high net worth investors expected to have at least a quarter of their investment portfolio in equities by 2011, according to a Datamonitor survey.

Keywords:

Financial markets, equities

Category:

Finance

Order code: 120609Nshortselling – Word count: 545 – Publish date: 15 June 2009

Headline:

ASIC lifts ban on short selling of financial securities

Abstract:

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has lifted its temporary ban on short selling of financial securities earlier than expected, but has not ruled out further intervention if necessary.

Keywords:

ASIC, financial markets, equities

Category:

Finance

Order code: 080609Nmarginlending – Word count: 780 – Publish date: 9 June 2009

Headline:

Details of margin lending regulatory regime released

Abstract:

Margin lending will be regulated under a single, standard, national regime for the first time in Australia, under new laws released by Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, in a bid to better protect retail investors.

Keywords:

Financial markets, lending, investment

Category:

Finance

Order code: 120609Natosmsf – Word count: 275 – Publish date: 15 June 2009

Headline:

ATO warns SMSF trustees on negotiable instruments

Abstract:

The Australian Taxation Office has warned trustees of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) to be cautious of arrangements involving the non-commercial use of negotiable instruments in an attempt to gain income tax and super benefits.

Keywords:

SMSF, superannuation, ATO, tax

Category:

Finance

Order code: 200409Nlifeins – Word count: 387 – Publish date: 20 May 2009

Headline:

Insurance providers bank on direct life products

Abstract:

Direct life products and distribution will be a key growth area for life companies in the coming years, according to Rice Warner Actuaries. Its recently released annual Direct Life Insurance Products report showed the number of direct life products on offer in Australia has swelled from 109 a year ago to 121.

Keywords:

Insurance, financial advice

Category:

Finance

Order code: 200409Nstimulus – Word count: 511 – Publish date: 20 May 2009

Headline:

More Australians to use stimulus cash for debt reduction or saving than spending

Abstract:

Less than half (42 per cent) of those eligible for the latest government stimulus cash payments intend to spend all or part of them, according to research commissioned by St George Bank. More than one in three (35 per cent) instead plan to pay down their credit cards and personal debt, 9 per cent will pay down their mortgage, and one in three (31 per cent) plan on saving all or part of their one-off payment.

Keywords:

Government policy, banking, finance

Category:

Finance