Help guide
The Financial Services Council has released a guide to help financial advisers understand changes to disclosure requirements that apply from 15 March next year. Richard Klipin, CEO of the council, says the guide provides examples of the new disclosure requirements through different advice scenarios and gives examples of wording that could be used by advisers when meeting clients.
FAP details released
The FMA has released its final standard conditions for a full Financial Advice Provider (FAP) licence and dropped its proposed requirement for advisers to have professional indemnity insurance following industry lobbying. Katrina Shanks, CEO of Financial Advice NZ welcomed the decision saying her organisation had asked for professional indemnity insurance to be removed from the final standard conditions saying there were questions over its availability and affordability in the future.
Financial Advice NZ is holding an event with the FMA on Tuesday November 17 where details of the regulator’s guide to applying for a FAP licence will be discussed. The event, to be held at the Christchurch Town Hall starting at 3.15pm, will also be streamed live.
Australian advisers
Following the FMA’s proposal to recognise Australian adviser qualifications we asked if you supported the idea. Voting in our poll currently shows that 62 per cent of you say ‘no’, 23 per cent are ‘not sure’ and 15 per cent of you say ‘yes’. The FMA is keen to hear what you think during its consultation period that closes on 20 November.
Southern Cross
A virtual GP service is being offered by Southern Cross Health Insurance in conjunction with ProCare for patients who need advice when their normal doctor is not available. Patients can make an appointments using the CareHQ app or the Southern Cross Health Insurance app between 7am and 7pm seven days a week. The consultation fee may be reduced or free for Southern Cross members with GP consult cover.
Fred Dodds
Fred Dodds, who enjoyed a career in the financial services industry spanning more than 40 years, passed away on Monday following a battle with cancer. Last year he was presented with the Service to the Profession award at the Financial Advice NZ annual conference by the organisation’s CEO Katrina Shanks. Shanks says Fred, who was 74, will be remembered as someone who had significant knowledge of all things related to financial advice and as a facilitator to bring people together.