Existing franchise for sale, with database.

Financial Advice New Zealand is rethinking its “quality service mark”.

Tax is the topic of the week, but as everyone else has plenty to say on that subject, professional development, Level Five and adviser education gets an airing today.

Australian advisers have received an unlikely boost in their fight against remuneration reforms proposed by the Royal Commission. The Australian Labor Party has withdrawn its support for a fee-for-service model and has instead proposed a flat, lender-funded fee.

If regulators want an indication of what might happen if they regulate insurance adviser commissions, they could look to Australia.

New Zealand's financial services world has responded with scepticism to proposals from the Tax Working Group, including a capital gains tax.

Investors holding shares in New Zealand and Australian companies would be captured by changes proposed by the Tax Working Group today.

Advisers say a proposed capital gains tax on rental properties will not deter professional, long-term investors in the market.

The Tax Working Group (TWG) has recommended that income from capital gains – especially those made on residential rental properties – should be taxed more.

Associations are being told to be more openly vocal in their support for financial advisers.

Forget about upfront commissions, one adviser says churn should be tackled by allowing trail commissions to be paid to the servicing adviser – not simply the person who sold the product in the first place.

Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich has noted the "unprecedented scrutiny" on bank conduct and culture, after the domestic lender posted a $62 million profit in the six months to December.

NZX has signalled plans to grow its Wealth Technologies platform further, despite long delays in bringing on its first customer.