HMRC knocks 41 New Zealand QROPS off its list. Planning practices worth 2-3 times recurring revenue. Call to ditch KiwiSaver defaults. NZ and Australian corporate defaults fall. Advisers using social media. FMA does better second time around on disclosure guidance.

SFO launches further investigation into NZF Finance; Home loan affordability near its best in 7 years; NZACU partners with Fisher Funds; Quick check formula for retirement savings; and Kiwis' net wealth increasing...

FSC launched, three clear aims; Australian regulator to ramp up wrap regs; FMA consults on disclosure in offer docs; Research underway cost of 'comfortable' retirement; NZ major banks' outlook 'benign'; Rating released on NZ Association of Credit Unions...

Analysis of Lombard v Nathans; Lonsec to launch quant analytics tool; Partners Life appoints Knowles; AIA grows market share; Home affordability continues to improve...

TNP launches new professional association; guidance note for adviser remuneration disclosure; check business interruption cover; Asia-Pacific ahead in ESG ratings; site offers director of parliament and government agencies; Auckland Council ratings upgraded...

Tate explains why IFA broke from FAANZ; S&P exits fund research; NZ will top developed world growth over next four decades; New risk tolerance tool; Health insurance numbers stablising...

2011 was a watershed year for the New Zealand financial advisory industry, as the regulation rubber hit the road. Our financialalert Person of the Year 2011 stood out for his enthusiastic, energetic leadership at a time when many advisers were struggling with the additional demands the introduction of regulation has brought as well as the challenging market environment...

You learn a vast amount in a week. Here are my key takeouts from Day 1...

A recent study out of the US takes a shot at what you may believe about dollar cost averaging, one of the sacred cows of investment…

How would a global bird flu pandemic affect financial markets? If past history, including the effect of SARS in 2003 is anything to go by, the effect would be significant...

At this week’s PortfolioConstruction Conference, HFA Chief Investment Strategist Jonathan Pain will present a compelling review of the prospects for world equity markets – in fact, he'll present twice, firstly the case for a global equities bull market, and then the contrasting case for a global equities bear market…

Distressed debt is one asset type beloved of hedge funds. There are four distinct types of distressed debt, and each carries unique risks and rewards, says Mercer Investment Consulting, warning that this event-driven style is not as homogenous as the definition indicates…

Financial advisers should be doing more to be actively involved in placement of investments into property, according to specialist property investment research house Property Investment Research. In a recently released Market Review, PIR argues the case for property allocations to be as high as 40% in a portfolio...

In the US, more than half of all equity funds are managed by a team, leaving a lot of solo "star" managers. US-based Bloomberg Wealth Manager recently highlighted a US study looking at which performs better - solo managers or investment teams?