Australia
Demise of the machines as Macquarie closes robo-advice unit
Macquarie’s direct robo-advice service is to be shut down with its automated advice offering integrated into the bank’s wealth platform following the sudden death of founder and chief investment officer John O’Connell.
PEOPLE MOVES: UK govt, Killik & Co, Australian Tax Office
UK prime minister Theresa May has reshuffled her cabinet as uncertainty mounts over how long the Conservative Party can hold on to power. The deputy Australian Tax Office commissioner has resigned after being being caught up in a fraud scandal, while Killik & Co has appointed a head of wealth planning.
Aussie watchdog warns advisers ahead of commission cap
Advisers in Australia have been warned by the country’s financial regulator not to inappropriately switch clients into charge-heavy products ahead of major changes to commission payments and clawbacks on insurance policy sales.
Tax scam mastermind who duped Crocodile Dundee star arrested
The man at the centre of Australia’s biggest ever tax evasion scandal that ensnared Crocodile Dundee actor Paul Hogan is understood to have been arrested in Italy.
Australian adviser given life ban for stealing A$2.3m
An Australian financial planner has been jailed and permanently banned from providing financial services after pleading guilty to stealing more than A$2.3m (£1.3m, $1.7m, €1.5m) from a nurse to fund his lavish lifestyle.