70 complaints against real estate agents on early release super: ASIC At least 70 people complained to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission about real estate agents giving advice on early release superannuation, but its initial tip-off came from an ASIC staffer who received a letter from an agent about applying for early release. For more.

ASIC reminds responsible entities of liquidity obligations Echoing the plight of mortgage funds during the global financial crisis, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has reminded the responsible entities of managed investments schemes of their ability to suspend redemptions and seek regulatory relief if necessary. For more.

Westpac's major provisioning increase Faced with COVID-19 factors, Westpac has announced new and increased provisioning and asset write-downs totalling around $1.4 billion. For more.

FPA joins AFA in lambasting Choice anti-planner comments The Financial Planning Association has echoed the Association of Financial Advisers in calling on Choice to retract derogatory comments about financial planners. For more.

ISA launches campaign to encourage nest egg protection Industry Super Australia’s new campaign will address how Australians can protect their superannuation without making rash decisions after a downturn. For more.

ETFs see 150% turnover growth in March ETF trading volumes continued to grow in March, hitting an all-time high of $18 billion in turnover, according to BetaShares. For more.

Managed funds caught up in foreign investment changes Changes to the foreign investment review framework as a result of COVID-19 could have ‘unintended consequences’ for fund managers as some managed funds have been included. For more.

Economic activity in developed markets expected to recover in H2 Economic activity in developed markets is expected to recover in the second half of the year, but the shocks in some parts of the world could last longer. For more.

AFA insists Choice withdraw its slur on advisers Association of Financial Advisers chief executive, Phil Kewin, wants a Choice executive to withdraw a statement suggesting financial advisers can’t be trusted to act in client’s best interests on accessing early release superannuation. For more.

Providing advice from home Working from home is one of the biggest shifts globally to have come as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a financial adviser’s work is centred around physical face-to-face client meetings, Jassmyn Goh finds out what kind of technology they need to move forward. For more.

Reviewing retirement income The Retirement Income Review has been welcomed by many in the industry, but Chris Dastoor writes, it is still uncertain what it will mean for the industry in the long-term. For more.