2018 FSC Conference Wrap 

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The Financial Services Council (FSC) and Workplace Savings NZ (WSNZ) delivered a high-level, thought-provoking conference, during the two-day national event held on 6-7 September at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland.

The ‘Shaping Futures’ conference was sold out, with over 380 delegates in attendance, and brought together industry players from all corners of the financial services industry including providers, politicians, regulators, dealer groups and business leaders.

Industry leaders traded thoughts during engaging panel discussions, on key issues spanning financial services regulation and global politics to customer engagement and fintech.

The impact of the Australian Royal Commission on the New Zealand approach towards the current regulatory regime and what New Zealand wants for its future advice structure was explored.

FSC CEO, Richard Klipin, opening the Conference…

Highlights on the main platform included:

  • Minister for Finance, Grant Robertson and National’s finance spokesperson, Amy Adams, who each gave a snapshot of New Zealand’s place in the world
  • Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor, Adrian Orr, who’s speech was a crowd-favourite as he explained the benefits of ‘long-termism’ over ‘short-termism’ in a thoroughly entertaining way
  • FMA Chief Executive, Rob Everett, whose more sobering speech delved into the “crisis of trust” from the consumer, consequences of poor conduct and the questions the FMA has been asking banks and insurers during its Conduct and Culture Review (see: “You Can’t ‘Will’ Good Conduct: FMA Chief…).
  • A challenging and stimulating panel discussion with Orr, Partners Life’s, Naomi Ballantyne, BusinessNZ CEO, Kirk Hope and NZIER CEO, Laurence Kubiak, on the ‘big issues’ shaping our world.
    FMA CEO, Rob Everett, spoke about a “crisis of trust” from consumers…

    Journalist Corin Dann had a ‘fireside chat’ with Minister for Finance, Grant Robertson…
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor, Adrian Orr, spoke on long-termism versus short-termism…

Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Kris Faafoi, was the special guest speaker at the Gala Dinner on Thursday evening, where the FSC and Workplace Savings Awards were also presented.

A series of workshops across insurance, investment and consumer insights were held over the two day programme, with the insurance panels questioning how the industry can better connect to consumers, advice automation and how things may look by 2023.

Industry leaders explore fintech, AI and cyber threats during a panel discussion…

FSC CEO, Richard Klipin, said evaluations on the conference have been streaming in and along with anecdotal feedback during the conference, the attendee evaluation has been “exceptionally strong”.

“We were very privileged to have a calibre of senior political, regulatory and industry representatives,” said Klipin, adding they have had a great deal of interest from people keen to join the conference committee for 2019.

Looking towards next year and its third conference, Klipin said the FSC is aiming to build on the event’s existing strong platform.

“This year we innovated with Tech Alley and the breakfast masterclasses,” he said. “So it’s a question of what else is the market looking for and how can we respond?”

The event featured over 60 speakers and Klipin said one of the highlights across the two days included the “quality of the main platform debate and discussion…and the community of the sector coming together”.