The ifa Show

In this episode of the ifa Show, Direct Wealth technology manager and Halosoft co-founder Nick Downey joins host Keith Ford to explore the real reasons many Australian financial advisers remain hesitant about AI, despite 74 per cent of practices are either using or planning to use AI.  Downey explains why this hesitation exists, why it's rational – particularly when it comes to security concerns –...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Dr Ben Neilson, adjunct professor at Central Queensland University and adviser at Complete Wealth, and Shelley Labartolo, client service officer at Complete Wealth, join host Keith Ford to break down their research on the stages of client emotions during the advice process.   Their research centred on how understanding and mapping client emotions at each stag...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Andrew Gale and Stephen Huppert from the Actuaries Institute's Help, Guidance and Advice Working Group joins host Keith Ford to take a deep dive into the recently released framework to address the complexities of financial advice in Australia, focusing on creating clearer pathways for consumers to access financial support. Andrew and Stephen explain that the...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, MLC Expand CEO Liz McCarthy and Shadforth Financial Group CEO Terry Dillon join host Keith Ford to discuss the transformative role of AI in financial advice and how AI tools are being implemented to drive efficiency. With advice firms looking for greater automation of routine administrative tasks, AI is set to reshape the advice profession's approach to clien...

In this crossover episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by The SMSF Adviser Show co-host Aaron Dunn to unpack the changes from the initial proposal to the current version released this week. The discussion emphasises that while the major concerns of taxing unrealised gains and lack of indexation have been addressed, many technical details still need to be clarified through the legisla...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Falcon Financial Advisers partner and financial adviser Tom Moloney joins host Keith Ford to break down why he decided to establish his own firm around 18 months ago, and the importance of developing new talent in financial advice. Moloney explains how he took an intentional approach to his career in financial advice, some of the pros and cons of setting up a...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Ben Walsh, principal research consultant at WealthVantage Partners, joins host Keith Ford to break down the corporate regulator's new report on the private credit market and highlight the main areas that financial advisers need to understand. Walsh delves into the report's detailed examination of the industry, emphasising the need for greater transparency and...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Mazi Wealth financial adviser Deline Jacovides joins host Keith Ford to delve into the complexities of making financial advice more accessible and why accessibility extends beyond simply trying to deliver advice at the lowest cost possible. Jacovides explains that she believes making advice more accessible includes utilising diverse delivery methods like ad h...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Shail Singh, lead ombudsman for investments and advice at AFCA, for a deep dive into two of the most complex – and crucial – pillars of financial consumer protection: the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort. From resolving disputes early and rebuilding client relationships to tackli...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford sits down with David Berry, inaugural CEO of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, to unpack the challenges of protecting investors when financial advice goes wrong. They discuss high-profile failures like Dixon Advisory, Shield, and First Guardian, and the legislative and regulatory changes needed to ensure the CSLR's long-term sustainabili...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Hayes & Co Insurance Services financial adviser Trish Gregory joins host Keith Ford to explain the importance of childhood trauma policies, how they can help parents through a child's significant health issues and why more advisers should be keeping them top of mind for their clients. Gregory details the benefits of the somewhat niche policy and what advisers...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Rasiah Private Wealth founder and principal adviser Thabojan Rasiah joins host Keith Ford to discuss why the self-confessed "investment geek" believes maximising returns shouldn't be the sole objective of financial advice. Rasiah explains that while investing wisely is crucial, an overly narrow focus on investments can lead to neglecting other crucial aspects...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Pivot Wealth founder Ben Nash joins host Keith Ford to break down the secrets to leveraging digital platforms for business growth and client engagement while dealing with the compliance challenges that come with professionals communicating in the digital realm. Nash highlights that his journey into content marketing began as a deliberate strategy to generate...

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Financial Advice Association Australia general manager of policy, advocacy and standards Phil Anderson joins host Keith Ford to take a deep dive into the latest Compensation Scheme of Last Resort consultation, this time focusing on how the special levy should be decided. With $47.3 million left to be covered for FY2025–26, Minister for Financial Services Dani...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Charlie Viola, the executive chairman of Viola Private Wealth, to discuss how private markets allow his firm to better deliver on the increasingly complex needs of its ultra-high-net-worth client base. As private markets continue to emerge as a key tool for diversification, Viola suggests that investment vehicles, such as managed accoun...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Andrew Saikal-Skea, founder of Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice, to discuss the value of providing completely independent advice and how it can help remove the invisible barrier that even the perception of third-party influence can create. Saikal-Skea also breaks down how this focus on independence and being self-licensed, along...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Andrew McVeigh, managing partner at Remara, to discuss the growing private credit and real estate investment sectors, as well as the implications of the proposed $3 million super tax on holdings within self-managed super funds. McVeigh highlights that with private credit experiencing substantial growth as an asset class in Australia and...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Corey Wastle, CEO of Verse Wealth, to take a deep dive into strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in financial advice, particularly given the shrinking talent pool. Wastle emphasises the importance of becoming a "destination workplace" where the best people want to work – which requires cultivating a strong culture, focusin...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by James O'Reilly, financial planner and director of Northeast Wealth, to delve into why advice practices should be conducting an internal review at the end of the financial year, arguing that this is a great time to look at what can be done better. Efficiency has been a particularly hot topic over the last 12 months and with this in mind,...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Nicole Gardner, founder and financial adviser at Stellar Wealth, to explore how clients react to times of turmoil and whether global events should change investment plans or even their ethical considerations. As tensions in the Middle East continue to simmer in a very public manner, Gardner explains that clients are now left considering...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Natallia Smith, the director and principal financial adviser of TruWealth Advice, to explore how ethics have shaped her firm at a foundational level and the benefits of self-licensing in giving her control to make business decisions grounded in ethical practices. Touching on a hot topic for the profession, Smith shares her views on advi...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by ifa journalist Shy-ann Arkinstall to discuss new Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino's initial meetings with industry associations, including the Financial Advice Association Australia, the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals and the SMSF Association, and what the outcomes of these say about the future of th...

On this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Hugh Robertson, chief executive of Centaur Financial Services, to explore the challenges that come with market volatility and how advisers can really show their value in these times. Although many clients will feel the need to adjust their investments as changes occur, Robertson believes that timing the market simply doesn't work, highl...

This week on The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Adele Martin, founder of Financial Adviser Scale Squad, who speaks about the value of collaboration within the financial services sector and how this can help advisers grow and improve their businesses. Ahead of presenting at the AI Summit in June, Martin explains how advisers can use AI in their practices to not only help them be more effici...

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Fraser Jack, founder of The Cyber Collective, to delve into the longstanding issue of giving financial advisers access to the ATO portal and why the Tax Office might be hesitant to open the door. Jack also touches on the CPS 230 regulation, which will come into force on 1 July, explaining that advisers will be under even heavier scrutin...