The story I found most interesting this week was about how a hole in New Zealand financial law dramatically reduces the level of oversight on businesses like Ross Asset Management.

Internet search engines are a potential “minefield” for advisers who don’t understand how they work, according to an expert on financial adviser business marketing.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has confirmed it is investigating David Ross and his firm Ross Asset Management, which is suspected to have been operating as a Ponzi scheme.

Rabobank credit rating cut; Infratil bonds reset lower; Kiwibank sets interest rate for bonds

As the Ross Asset Management saga plays out in the public eye, fund managers are in damage control mode and doing their best to distance themselves from the failed company.

The big news this week was the massive shortfall of funds uncovered at Ross Asset Management, in what receivers suspect could be a giant "ponzi" scheme.

New Zealand advisers have been slow to pick up on responsible investment (RI), but they have been warned that failing to do so could one day put them in the sights of regulators.

Continued strong sharemarket performance has boosted KiwiSaver growth funds, which have been the best performers for the quarter ended September 30, according to Mercer’s KiwiSaver Survey.

Managed funds with a “life-cycle” component won’t take the place of financial advisers but are the next best option for the large number of people who don’t use advice, an expert says.

The government is looking to tap the knowledge of financial advisers as it tries to decide what to do with the default KiwiSaver provider system.

Advisers need to be careful what they write on client file notes or they could find themselves in an awkward situation if their clients end up reading them, a lawyer says.

Kiwibank confirms bond offer; Hubbard investors feud with manager; big demand for government bonds

A review of the qualification framework for financial advisers has recommended no change to the minimum standard for authorised financial advisers (AFAs) – for now.

The demise of Ross Asset Management so quickly and specatularly made me think about regulation some more this week.

Dealer groups that “clip the ticket” with over-ride commission payments will soon find their business models under pressure, new AAA Advisers Association chief executive Wayne Smith says.

Workplaces will become increasingly important for financial advisers in future as the client base and focus of the industry changes, NZ Funds Management chief executive Richard James predicts.