ASSET - Government lightens the load

Submissions close on May 16 for the government's new plan to overhaul the financial Advisers Bill - throwing out co-regulation and narrowing its target. David Chaplin reports on why political expediency has won out.

Tuesday, May 6th 2008, 3:07PM

There are several features in ASSET this month, including the ability for advisers to earn CPD credits. To do this all you have to do is read several selected articles and then answer a set of questions online at assetmagazine.co.nz

Other features this month include:

IFA Elections: Rules of re-engagement
Unlike the 'Hilary v Obama' saga there is an end in sight to the battle for the presidency of the Institute of Financial Advisers. David Chaplin speaks to the presidential candidates in what will be the IFA's first democratic (sort of) election for the top role.

Insurance: Staking a claim with Asteron
Asteron has been on the road trying to reinvigorate one of the old virtues of insurance advice - the claim. But it also has an eye on the future.

Profile: David Pierce and the miracle of life insurance
AIG's new man in NZ has been in the job for almost nine months. He explains why he keeps the faith in life insurance.

Practice Management
ASSET has a strong practice management section with articles designed to help advisers grow their businesses.

This month we have:
The Regulator: On the job with the Securities Commission
Adviser disclosure and investigations of failed finance companies are two enforcement priorities for the Securities Commission this year. The Commission's director primary markets, Kathryn Rogers, discusses the latest developments.

Sue What?: How to keep the lawyers away
Financial planning clients all over the country who have been burnt by Bridgecorp et al are heading for legal offices much like those occupied by Andrew Hooker's firm Turner Hopkins. Hooker explains which cases are likely to proceed and gives some practical tips for those advisers wondering when a writ will come their way.

Columns
ASSET brings you some great columnists each month. PAA chief executive always has interesting ideas for advisers; economist Donal Curtin puts the mundane economic matters into words everyone understands; AMP's Anthony Edmonds delves into the tax files, and Russell Hutchinson provides an insight into issues impacting on advisers' businesses.

Professional Advisers' Association: Why a single regulator can't be half baked
Hutchinson: The 7 modern sins of the financial planner
Economy: Babies, bath waters and bargains
Tax files: Calculators at 10 paces

Our book review this month is
Winning the Money War by Lisa Dudson $27.95