Risk Company Update
/Deakin and FS partner for financial education
Deakin University and Financial Standard have partnered for continued professional development (CPD) education via Financial Standard’s FS Aspire CPD platform. Financial Planning students at Deakin University will have access to a range of educational material and technical resources from the platform.
Count Financial adds Serendipity Wealth Advisors to business
Count Financial Limited has appointed Newcastle’s Serendipity Wealth Advisors to its national advice community, the 22 advice company added to Count’s books since January 2021. Serendipity was launched in February 2021 by friends Christine Lusher and Norma Samson.
MetLife launches adviser support platform, updates products
MetLife Australia has launched a new platform that enables real-time collaboration and self-service, still allowing quotes and applications for life insurance on behalf of clients.
A reduction has been applied to the maximum pre-disability annual income that can be claimed on income protection policies, in line with new guidelines. Seventy per cent replacement of income up to $30,000 per month is allowed, with income tiering and the ability to nominate increased cover for the first six month of up to 90 per cent of income.
Class enters Scheme of Arrangement with HUB24
Class Limited has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed with HUB24 Limited whereby HUB24 agrees to acquire all issued shares by Class via a recommended court-approved Scheme of Arrangement. The combined entity will be a platform, data and technology solutions powerhouse for the financial sector and self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) industry. Class is to remain a standalone business within the HUB24 group, with Class management staff invited to move across to HUB24 once the deal is complete.
Class shareholders will receive one HUB24 share for every 11 Class ordinary shares held and cash of $0.10 for every Class ordinary share held based on the last trading price of HUB24 shares at 15 October.
CountPlus buys Accurium from Challenger
CountPlus Limited has entered into an agreement to buy Accurium for $9 million from Challenger Limited. Accurium is a supplier of actuarial certificates and education services to the SMSF sector. CountPlus will hold an 85 per cent shareholding in Accurium with some management staff holding 15 per cent. Douglas McBirnie will be managing director of Accurium, with all staff retained in the transaction.
