The shape of superannuation to come
The superannuation system has undergone sweeping changes in recent years and the dust has yet to settle. According to a finance software provider, tomorrow’s super system will look markedly different to the one we know today. In a recently released white paper, software company Bravura said Australia’s super system is likely to undergo a number of changes to meet the new regulatory environment and the advancement of modern technology. The role technology is slated to play in the delivery of superannuation services in coming years is likely to increase drastically, the company said. Super funds will be able to collect “unprecedented” amounts of data from their members and use this […]
Ignition Wealth announces digital advice solution for users of BT Panorama
Ignition Wealth has announced that its digital advice solution will be available to investors, advisers and accountants using BT Panorama. “We are delighted to be working with BT to deliver a truly customer-first solution to their accountants, advisers and investors. For accountants the move provides a post-FOFA solution that allows them to source advice for their clients in an efficient and, most importantly, compliant manner.” – Mark Fordree, CEO, Ignition Wealth. Ignition Wealth operates a unique ‘robo-assisted’ model which allows customers to access a hybrid of the best of digital and traditional advice. Customers have the option of self-serve, some support or full advice from their own adviser […]
Stockspot CEO Chris Brycki says advisers will become financial ‘curators’
The financial adviser of the future will be a “curator of digital services”, with no alignment to any particular bank or wealth manager, says Chris Brycki, the founder of a disruptive robo-adviser that gives investors access to low-cost exchange traded funds. Financial Review Rich Lister Graham Tuckwell led a $3 million capital raising for Stockspot this month to help the robo-adviser expand its team of engineers, rather than build up financial advice expertise. “It’s going to be more about technology and less about teams of financial advisers, analysts and fund managers, who in our view don’t add the value that we can add,” Mr Brycki said. “Their [financial advisers’] role […]
Millennials to drive huge passive funds management switch, threatening jobs
The massive generational group of Millennials will accelerate the seismic shift to passive fund management as they seek to grow and protect their wealth, costing the jobs of more stock-picking professionals, according to investment specialists. Jay Pelosky, principal of New York-based Pelosky Global Strategies, said the Millennials’ greater experience with technology compared with Baby Boomers, distrust of so-called “experts” since the 2008-09 financial crisis and debt burdens from university education, meant they were attracted to low-fee automated investing such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and robo advice. “There will be a much greater and sustained move towards passive investing in part because of the Millennials,” said Mr Pelosky, a former Morgan […]
NAB-owned UBank launches robot to sell home loans
In a first for an Australian bank, NAB-owned UBank has launched an artificial intelligence “chatbot” for home loans. Using IBM Watson’s supercomputer technology, it aims to reduce the time it takes to complete an application for a home loan, by providing real-time answers to questions that is available 24/7. Called RoboChat, it has been trained using data collected from customer questions and will continue to learn as more customers engage with it, becoming smarter and more user-friendly over time. Users ask it questions such as “what term do you offer on home loans” and “do you offer redraws and how do they work”, with RoboChat offering on-the-spot help. A handful […]
Australians are turning to alternative types of investments
Australians unable to buy in an overheated property market are turning to other investments to boost their wealth. As property prices in capital cities particularly Sydney and Melbourne continue to soar and returns on cash in the bank remain around two per cent, many savers have had to look at alternative ways to grow their money. KILL your debts quicker than ever before Ray Corcoran, 29, who runs his own marketing consultancy has put off buying property and instead is investing his money through a Robo-adviser — an automated investment service. After having his savings in an online account collecting interest at a rate of 1.6 per cent he decided […]
Sydney robo-advisor founded by ex-UBS portfolio manager raises $3 million in series B
Sydney fintech Stockspot has secured $3 million in a series B capital raising round, the startup revealed on Thursday. Stockspot is a digital investment advisor, commonly known as a robo-advisor, and a fund manager founded by chief executive Chris Brycki, a former UBS and BlueLake Partners portfolio manager. ETF Securities founder Graham Tuckwell and Australian firm Alium Capital, which invested in HealthEngine and Nitro last month, led the $3 million round. Stockspot also revealed that H2’s Toby and Ben Heap, who were already investors, and “algorithmic trading” entrepreneur Danny Bhandari contributed to the series B. “Graham is a global exchange-traded fund (ETF) pioneer, having invented exchange traded commodities and built […]
