News

FPA welcomes standards legislation but says some elements ‘not workable’

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has welcomed the Government’s move to enshrine higher educational and professional standards for financial planners in legislation, but has cautioned some elements are “not workable” Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer has released the draft legislation, which is a response to the Government’s Financial Services Inquiry, as part of a round of public consultation before it is considered by Parliament. Under the proposed changes new financial planners will require a degree, undertake a professional year, pass an exam and together with existing financial planners they will be required

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FPA and ING DIRECT announce National Advice Partnership

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and ING DIRECT today announced the launch of a pilot national advice referral program that will connect ING DIRECT Living Super customers with FPA Professional Practices across the country. The nine-month pilot commences next month and will be available to ING DIRECT Living Super customers who have asked for comprehensive financial advice from a CFP® professional within an FPA Professional Practice. Tim Hewson, National Partnership Manager, Residential and Wealth, ING DIRECT, said the partnership is launching at a time when retirement planning is increasingly on the radar for all Australians. “In recent years

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FPA Professionals Congress exceeds expectations – Perth for 2016

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has confirmed Perth as the venue for its 2016 FPA Professionals Congress after this year’s event exceeded expectations. The two-and-a-half day Congress at the Brisbane Convention Centre attracted almost 1,000 delegates from around the country. The event created a buzz on social media and the #FPACongress conversation trended in Australia as the fifth most popular topic on Twitter. FPA CEO Mark Rantall said the new TED-style format of keynote sessions, the mix of inspiring speakers, the range of topics at the event’s 24 workshops and the conference theme of ‘Shaping Futures’ had all

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Australia’s top financial planner honoured at FPA Professionals Congress

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), today announced the winner of the 2015 FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award – Christopher Smith CFP®, from VISIS Private Wealth in Brisbane. The FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is given to a financial planner who embodies the highest professional standards and has delivered best practice advice which has led to superior client outcomes. According to Mark Rantall, FPA CEO, the award winner has demonstrated true professional leadership and excellence, and a desire to go above and beyond for clients. “Chris’ commitment to professional standards as

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FPA announces 2015 Financial Planner AFP® of the Year

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), today announced that John Molnar from ipac South Australia is the winner of the 2015 FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award. The award recognises a professional financial planner who has demonstrated best practice in financial planning, achieved superior client outcomes, and also contributed significantly to the local community. Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA, said that the award was conceived to encourage and recognise the achievements of Financial Planner AFP® members who are committed to excellence and professional development, and adhere to the FPA Code of Professional Practice. “John has received this award

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Queenslanders take out top FPA academic achievement awards

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), today named Queenslanders Natalie Cross of Griffith University as the winner of the FPA University Student of the Year Award and Sunitha Chamala from BDO as the latest winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award. The FPA University Student of the Year Award is a new category in the FPA Awards program. The accolade recognises finance students who demonstrate strong potential in the areas of accounting, banking and finance. The hotly contested Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award honours the highest achieving student in the CFP® Certification Program. Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA, said

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Future2 grants over $115,000 to young Australians in need

Future2 has awarded over $115,000 in grants to community not-for-profits with programs for socially and financially disadvantaged young Australians. Making the announcement at the Future2 Gala Dinner at the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) Professionals Congress in Brisbane tonight, Future2 director / trustee Marianne Perkovic said the increase in annual Future2 Make the Difference! Grants is the result of generosity of financial planning professionals and many others connected with the profession. “Last year, FPA members and friends contributed to a substantial increase in funds raised, enabling the Future2 board to increase grant funding by over 50%. With your continuing

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FPA Board announces new CEO at FPA Professionals Congress

The Board of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) announced today that senior FPA executive Dante De Gori will take over as Chief Executive Officer when the current CEO Mark Rantall steps down from the role to focus on non-executive director positions at the end of February 2016. Speaking at the opening of the FPA Professionals Congress in Brisbane, Chair of the FPA Board, Mr Neil Kendall, praised Mr Rantall for advancing the cause of professionalism in the financial planning industry during a period of significant change. Mr Kendall said that after a rigorous executive search the Board’s choice was based on

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Future2 award recognises financial planners who give back

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), today announced that Christopher Moore, CFP® from Optimum LifeFocus Financial Planning in Adelaide, is the winner of the 2015 Future2 Community Service Award. The Future2 Community Service Award recognises FPA members who have, in a pro-bono, volunteering or community service capacity, made an outstanding contribution to improving the circumstances of the most socially excluded or financially disadvantaged members of the community. Mr Moore has had a successful 40 year career in banking, finance and financial planning, while at the same time contributing significantly to the community through his work for a number of

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Financial planners gather to ‘shape futures’ at FPA Professionals Congress

The financial planning community gathers in Brisbane this week for the 2015 annual Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) Professionals Congress, running from tomorrow to 20 November. Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA, said the Professionals Congress brought together Australia’s largest community of professional financial planners to discuss how financial planning practitioners can equip themselves to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape. “This year’s Congress theme ‘Shaping Futures’ is about uniting financial planners, and inspiring them with new insights and strategies on how to shape the future – for their business, clients and the profession. “The Congress theme is

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