Australia has a predominantly services driven economy which is increasingly digital, online and driven by user generated data. Within our digital economy, financial services – principally banking, insurance and capital markets – has overtaken all other sectors to become the largest sector of the economy. The recent financial crisis and its aftermath have fundamentally challenged...

Financial systems, their institutions, markets and regulatory bodies, are constantly evolving in response to the changing dynamics of technology, politics, demographics and cultural norms. These pressures are evident in Australia today where Australia’s ageing population provides a challenge to both public resources and the financial services sector in terms of meeting the needs of this...

As 5.5 million baby-boomers approach retirement focus is shifting to how superannuation savings are transformed into retirement income. Recognising that many retirees do not have an adequate level of financial literacy to make optimal decisions about how to do this, the Financial System Inquiry recommended superannuation funds trustees should be required to pre-select a retirement...

The Australian superannuation system will not reach maturity until the mid-2030s, when those on the point of retirement will have enjoyed the benefits of compulsory superannuation savings for their full working lives. Until very recently, the focus in superannuation has been on the Accumulation phase, but with the maturing of the system and increased longevity...

Australia’s financial connectedness with the Asia-Pacific region lags behind its deepening economic, diplomatic and cultural ties with the region, according to this report by the Australian Centre for Financial Studies. The report finds that while the Asia-Pacific region represents roughly two-thirds of Australia’s global trading relationships, it still accounts for less than one-third of Australia’s...