Despite an increasing array of online learning tools for financial advisers, face-to-face conferences and courses are unlikely to ever become obsolete, industry figures say.

Advisers have slammed a proposed change to Anti-Money Laundering legislation described by one financial planner as “bureaucracy gone berserk”.

AMP Financial Services has chosen Mercer as its new research partner after a review, leaving Australian research house Van Eyk out in the cold.

Concern is building about a “gender gap” in superannuation but smaller balances are only one of the issues advisers need to consider when working with female clients, an industry leader says.

Swapping KiwiSaver default funds for "life stages" settings wouldn't be in the best interests of investors or the scheme, oppponents say.

One of the big stories this week was around the future of the KiwiSaver default schemes, and the role that financial advice should play.

A financial adviser is worried the search for yield is pushing investors into investments that are riskier than they think.

Listed investment firm Infratil has begun a new buyback of its Perpetual Infrastructure Bonds, which have performed poorly for investors in the low interest rate environment.

Mutual recognition has failed New Zealand fund managers who still face considerable cost to distribute their products in Australia, a review of financial regulations has been told.

One of the big stories on Good Returns this week was the debate over whether registered financial advisers need to do CPD (continuing professional development).

New Zealand is almost certain to follow the lead of other countries such as Britain and ban commissions for advisers, Milford Asset Management executive director Brian Gaynor says.

One financial services pundit predicts the number of authorised financial advisers could swell by 1000 this year, but others say such an influx is unlikely.

The predicted consolidation in the KiwiSaver market is likely to produce more work for advisers.

Emerging markets offer a great growth opportunity but advisers need to be careful what products they invest in, according to an expert.

The big theme of this week was conferences, with a couple of adviser events being cancelled and another being moved, raising questions in each case.

Advisers have mixed views on whether courses focused on increasing profitability should be counted as continued professional development (CPD).