The FinSec View Archives | Page 12 of 14

Is it just Yuan big storm in a teacup?

Earlier this month, without notice or explanation, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) lowered the yuan’s ‘daily fix’[1] by 1.9% against the U.S. dollar, the largest devaluation in 20 years. Investors responded by hitting the panic button. Investor’s feared that it signalled a sharper than expected slowdown in the world’s biggest economy. Apple shares dropped 5%, the Australian dollar nose dived and oil dipped to a six-year low. Financial analysts were blind sighted, was the PBOC’s intention to weaken the yuan [...]

denise.henly2015-08-24T05:53:23+09:30August 24th, 2015|FinSec Post, The FinSec View|

Dust off the history books – it’s back to the past to control the property cycle

The past few weeks have seen banks tighten up lending conditions for property investors – either charging higher interest rates or imposing lower loan to valuation ratios or both. There is even talk of lenders managing their exposure by focussing on postcodes. This is all in response to increasing pressure from the banking regulator APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) demanding that the 10% cap on property investor lending growth that it announced last December be adhered to. Those who have [...]

denise.henly2020-07-08T06:31:00+09:30June 17th, 2015|Investment, Market Update, The FinSec View|

Slow but steady wins the race: Licensing update

Late last year we informed you that our Australian Financial Services Licensee, Genesys Wealth Advisers, had announced it would be rationalised by its owner, AMP. This was to be finalised by the end of April, 2015. In the time since we made this announcement we have explored many avenues in our quest for a solution that satisfies both our client’s expectations and our company values. We are confident having eliminated a number of options that a path forward has now become [...]

denise.henly2015-06-18T04:50:11+09:30June 17th, 2015|FinSec Post, The FinSec View|

New report highlights the dangers of chasing past returns and ‘hot’ markets

Australia makes up around 3% of the global market, which means that 97% of global investment opportunities are elsewhere. As highlighted in several major Australian publications recently, the 2015 Russell Investments/ASX Long Term Investing Report points to the risks of relying on a resilient domestic share market, strong domestic currency and solid residential property market. Download report here. As this report highlights, it’s dangerous to chase past returns or ‘hot’ markets when your long-term savings are at stake.

denise.henly2020-07-08T06:31:18+09:30June 17th, 2015|Market Update, The FinSec View|

21 great investment quotes

Introduction Investing can be scary and confusing at times. But the basic principles of successful investing are timeless and quotes from some experts help illuminate these. This note looks at those I find most insightful. Aim “How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts?” Robert G Allen Cash and bank deposits are low risk and fine for near term spending requirements and emergency funds but they won’t build wealth over long periods of time. [...]

denise.henly2015-04-20T01:32:52+09:30April 17th, 2015|FinSec Post, Investment, More than just Finance, The FinSec View|

Another 21 Great Investment Quotes

Investing can be profitable as well as fun, but it can also be unnerving and unprofitable if you don’t understand markets and don’t have the right mindset. The basics of successful investing are timeless and some experts have a knack of encapsulating these in a way that’s insightful. A year ago Shane Oliver wrote on 21 investment quotes he finds useful (see 21 great investment quotes), here are some more... The market and cycles “The stock market is the story of [...]

denise.henly2019-07-31T00:53:40+09:30April 13th, 2015|Investment, Quick Tips, The FinSec View|

Knowledge and Clarity: Changes to Inactive bank accounts

On 18 March 2015, the Assistant Treasurer the Hon. Josh Frydenberg announced that the Government will increase the time frame for which bank accounts and life insurance policies must be inactive before their proceeds are transferred to ASIC. The period will be increased to 7 years from the current period of 3 years, reversing the legislation of the former Government. The proposed change will take effect from 31 December 2015, and will require legislative amendments to the Banking Act 1959 and [...]

denise.henly2020-07-08T06:31:10+09:30April 13th, 2015|Market Update, Superannuation, The FinSec View|

The Conversation: Superannuation and Tax

The Abbott government’s tax discussion paper released earlier this month, has thrown open the doors to a broad ranging debate on tax reform. One of the central themes is of course superannuation, can we expect to see it’s earnings kept tax free when the budgetary pressures created by an ageing population are considered? (Spending on the age pension is due to rise from the current 2.9 per cent of GDP to 3.6 per cent or approx. 180 billion dollars in 2054-55, [...]

denise.henly2020-07-08T06:20:57+09:30April 13th, 2015|Superannuation, The FinSec View|

The Trowbridge Report

Life Insurance is a large and very important part of Australia’s financial sector. According to assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg “there are 28 life insurance companies writing more than $44 billion worth of business, and more than 13,500 life insurance advisers employed in Australia.” The policies they provide – be it through a superannuation fund, direct from an insurer or via a financial adviser – provide essential financial security in the event of death, serious illness or injury. Without it, even the [...]

denise.henly2020-07-08T06:21:16+09:30April 13th, 2015|Insurance, The FinSec View|

That makes three!

Yet another of Australia's largest financial institutions (that makes three) has become embroiled in a scandal that further undermines the financial services industry - the latest household name to fall from grace, National Australia Bank (NAB). Never before have Australians needed trusted advice more, yet the industry continues to trip over itself in the quest for professionalism. The question now on the agenda is do we need a Royal Commission into Financial Planning? At FinSec Partners we welcome the call. The [...]

denise.henly2015-03-05T04:23:18+10:30March 4th, 2015|FinSec Post, The FinSec View|