Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
Southern Cross covers cochlear implants
Southern Cross Health Insurance (SCHI) has become the first New Zealand insurer to cover cochlear implant surgery for eligible adult members.
Southern Cross Health Insurance (SCHI) has become the first New Zealand insurer to cover cochlear implant surgery for eligible adult members. SCHI will cover one internal cochlear implant (excluding the external sound processor) for members who meet specific criteria which include:
· being at least 18 years old
· having severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear
· having moderate or worse hearing loss in the other ear
· having a hearing aid fitted for the ear scheduled for the implant
Those an audiologist deems likely to develop this level of hearing loss within 24 months may also qualify.
More news:
Fidelity Life release average turnaround times for September 2024
Fidelity Life share key takeaways from customer engagement forum
Westpac and nib called out for poor customer satisfaction scores at the Consumer NZ Yeah, Nah awards
NZFSG launch ‘MyInduction’ Programme
mySolutions webinar 'Premium structures' 30 October
The Co-operative Bank is a finalist in the 2024 LearnX Awards
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
The FMA publish Samantha Barrass’ speech; RBNZ publish Karen Silk’s speech; ASIC release annual report; Chief Ombudsman publishes annual report; Government to overhaul AML/CFT system; FMA publish monitoring report of the DIMS sector; Consultation on raising thresholds for asset distribution after death without the need for probate; Mental Health Bill referred to Select Committee; RBNZ publish speech by Adrian Orr; ASIC publish keynote addresss by Kate O’Rourke; Police FIU to run sessions on goAML.
22 Oct 2024 - The FMA publish Samantha Barrass' speech from the Financial Services Federation Conference 2024. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/speeches-and-presentations/samantha-barrass-speaks-at-fsf-conference/
22 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish Assistant Governor Karen Silk's speech 'Liquidity management: Principles for liquidity provision and the end of an abundant era'. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/liquidity-management
22 Oct 2024 - ASIC release 2023–24 annual report. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-232mr-asic-annual-report-underscores-transformation/?altTemplate=betanewsroom
22 Oct 2024 - The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his 2023/2024 Annual Report. https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/news/more-and-more-people-are-turning-ombudsman-help
23 Oct 2024 - The Government will introduce a single supervisor and a new funding model in a major overhaul of New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-overhaul-anti-money-laundering-regime
23 Oct 2024 - The FMA has published its first monitoring report of the Discretionary Investment Management Services (DIMS) sector. The report found that while DIMS providers strive for positive investor outcomes, there is room for improvement in their processes and controls. https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-publishes-first-insights-report-into-dims-sector/
23 Oct 2024 - The Ministry of Justice are currently consulting on a proposal to raise the threshold for distributing someone’s assets after death without the need for probate and are seeking feedback on new thresholds. https://7422267.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7422267/Member-only%20content/Submissions%20(Member%20Only)/Factsheet_probate%20threshold%20-%20financial%20services%20providers.pdf?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--CGtLdOXH2FnKUPM5kSzkDwUAdlMpihtK7dVxIe9c5_pIwlG4VqCwmsdMaof2Nep6ADSH_0AO6uGXorGoFn-IMWIe460-RneqZDNXuccz1V8aMMv8&_hsmi=330379053&utm_content=330379053&utm_source=hs_email
23 Oct 2024 - The Mental Health Bill has been referred to Select Committee. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/538751b7-fea5-4dcc-cce2-08dce18e31b4?Tab=history
24 Oct 2024 - RBNZ have published a speech by RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr, 'Navigating monetary policy through the unknown'. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/navigating-monetary-policy-through-the-unknown
24 Oct 2024 - ASIC publish keynote address by ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke at the 34th Annual Credit Law Conference. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/speeches/asic-2024-update/?altTemplate=betanewsroom
24 Oct 2024 - The Police FIU are running a series of two-hour sessions in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington that will cover an overview of the goAML system, along with how to submit Suspicious Activity and Prescribed Transaction Reports. https://createsend.com/t/j-18E3D1447129F4092540EF23F30FEDED
nib launches nib meno care
nib NZ has launched a new health management initiative, nib meno care, aimed at supporting women through the stages of perimenopause and menopause.
nib NZ has launched a new health management initiative, nib meno care, aimed at supporting women through the stages of perimenopause and menopause. The programme has been developed in collaboration with Dr Linda Dear, a specialist in menopause care.
nib members will be able to access expert advice on managing menopause symptoms – covering topics from lifestyle adjustments, to natural remedies and available medical treatments.
A 2023 survey Dear conducted found 64% of NZ women were unaware their symptoms, such as sleep disturbances and weight gain, were linked to menopause.
nib’s chief medical officer, Dr Rob McGrath, said
“Menopause is a personal journey, and no two women experience it the same way. That’s why we wanted to develop a tool to help women manage their symptoms on their own terms by making expert support easy to access and apply.”
More news:
ANZIIF welcomes Scott Hawkins as board member
The Adviser Platform rebrand and launch new website
NZFSG webinar 'Under the hoodie: Revealing the hackers' secrets' 22 October
FSC end of year celebrations dates announced: Auckland 26 Nov, Wellington 27 Nov
ACC’s latest annual report details an increase in claims and financial challenges
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
FMA publish speech by CEO Samantha Barrass; RBNZ publish speech by Assistant Governor Karen Silk; Hon Andrew Bayly’s September diary released; RBNZ publish bulletin on banking funding developments; The Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Bill had its first reading; FMA publishes guidance; APRA publish Annual Report; The committee stage of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill was completed; new Privacy complaints guide; RBNZ release voluntary Climate-related Disclosure; ASIC announces new appointments; The Contracts of Insurance Bill was read a second time; Commerce Commission Commissioner reappointed; RBNZ delay November FSR.
15 oct 2024 - The FMA has published the speech by FMA Chief Executive Samantha Barrass at the Institute of Financial Professionals New Zealand Conference 2024. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/speeches-and-presentations/speech-by-samantha-barrass-at-infinz-20242024/
16 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish Assistant Governor Karen Silk's speech 'Transmission of monetary policy to financial conditions' from the Citi Australia and New Zealand Investment Conference. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/transmission-of-monetary-policy-to-financial-conditions
16 Oct 2024 - Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon Andrew Bayly August 2024 diary released with the following potential financial services sector related meetings noted:
4 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: Financial Education Roundtable (invitees)
4 Sep 2024 – SPEAK: Financial Services Council Annual Conference Gala Dinner (conference delegates)
11 Sep 2024 – MEET: NZBA (Roger Beaumont)
13 Sep 2024 – MEET: BNZ CEO (Dan Huggins)
16 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: NZ Banking Association Council Meeting (Council Members)
23 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: Westpac Einvoicing customer event (Invited guests)
23 Sep 2024 – CALL: FMA CEO (Samantha Barrass)
23 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: Financial Service Federation Dinner (Invited guests)
24 Sep 2024 – MEET: Privacy Commissioner (Michael Webster)
24 Sep 2024 – ZOOM: XRB (Michelle Embling, and April Mackenzie)
25 Sep 2024 – MEET: Banking Ombudsman (Nicola Sladden)
26 Sep 2024 – MEET: Commerce Commission (Commerce Commission Officials)
26 Sep 2024 – MEET: NZBA (Roger Beaumont and Miles Erwin)
27 Sep 2024 – CALL: Westpac CEO (Catherine McGrath)
30 Sep 2024 – ZOOM: Commerce Commission (Commerce Commission Officials)
16 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish a Bulletin which provides an overview of bank funding and mortgage rate pricing developments in recent years. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/monetary-policy-pass-through-to-bank-funding-costs-and-mortgage-rates
16 Oct 2024 - The Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Bill had its first reading and was referred to Select Committee. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/f2d3b46e-56c2-41cd-0edd-08dcdb5e62cc?Tab=history
16 Oct 2024 - The FMA has published guidance which explains their interpretation of the law, to promote consistent market practices and ensure the requirements of section 212 (Initial steps in winding up of registered scheme) and section 213 (Winding-up report) of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMC Act) are met. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/guidance-library/winding-up-requirements-for-registered-schemes/
16 Oct 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published its Annual Report for the 2023-24 financial year. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-publishes-2023-24-annual-report
16 Oct 2024 - The committee stage of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill was completed. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/daily-progress-in-the-house/daily-progress-for-wednesday-16-october-2024/
16 Oct 2024 - The office of the Privacy Commissioner has published 'Handling privacy complaints: a step-by-step guide'. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/guidance-resources/handling-privacy-complaints-a-step-by-step-guide/
17 Oct 2024 - The RBNZ has released its first voluntary Climate-related Disclosure - Ngā Whakapuaki e Pā ana ki te Āhuarangi for FY2023/24, outlining their progress in understanding, monitoring, and managing climate-related risks. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/publications/reports/2024/climate-related-disclosure/data/climate-related-disclosure-2023-24
17 Oct 2024 - ASIC announce appointments to the ASIC Executive Leadership team: Peter Soros as Executive Director Regulation and Supervision; Chris Savundra to the role of Executive Director Enforcement and Compliance. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-226mr-appointments-to-the-asic-executive-leadership-team/?altTemplate=betanewsroom
17 Oct 2024 - The Contracts of Insurance Bill was read a second time. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/019dad64-3f9e-46b8-5cd9-08dc67f794e8?Tab=history
18 Oct 2024 - The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed that Dr Derek Johnston has been reappointed for a second term as a Commissioner at the Commerce Commission. https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/dr-derek-johnston-reappointed-to-the-commerce-commission
18 Oct 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s November Financial Stability Report (FSR) for 2024 has been moved to 5 November. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/financial-stability-report-moved-to-5-november
This week is Cyber Smart Week
Running from 21 – 27 October, Cyber Smart Week is here! With the theme of ‘The Scamathon’, it highlights the importance of being more secure online.
Running from 21 – 27 October, Cyber Smart Week is here! With the theme of ‘The Scamathon’, it highlights the importance of being more secure online. Some key precautions you should be taking include:
Using long, strong and unique passwords
Using two-factor authentication (2FA)
Reporting any suspected scams to your management or IT teams
Turning on automatic updates
Stopping to think before you click – could it be a scam?
Own your online has produced a 5-part video series about business online security – you can watch them all here.
Episode 1 - How to protect your business: Learn why it’s important for your business to prioritise online security and how to start getting your business in better shape.
Episode 2 - How to protect your online accounts: Learn about the most important protections you can put in place for your online accounts.
Episode 3 - Protecting data and systems: Learn why it’s important to protect your data and your customers’ data and how to put these protections in place. Also learn how your business can best recover from an online attack.
Episode 4 - Protect your website and social media: Learn how to put the right protections in place for your website and social media accounts.
Episode 5 - How to spot phishing: Learn about the most common online attack – phishing – and how your business can avoid getting caught by it.
They are also running a series of online events around online security you can register to join.
· Online security for individuals, 1pm, Monday 21 October 2024
· Working together to improve cyber resilience across the health sector, 10:30am, Tuesday 22 October 2024
· Online security for small businesses – simple steps for a big improvement, 3pm, Tuesday 22 October 2024
· Supporting clients with cyber security - for mentors and advisors, 11am, Wednesday 23 October 2024
· Financial sector cyber security threats and protections, 2pm, Wednesday 23 October 2024
· Online security for seniors, 1pm, Thursday 24 October 2024
· Cyber security insights for tech professionals, 10:30am, Thursday 24 October 2024
More news:
David Whyte calls for financial advisers to be exempt from CoFi
Julian Fayad believes AI could handle up to 80% of advisor loan deals within seven years
New Zealand’s headline inflation rate fell to 2.2% in the September quarter
Clive Fernandes launches a new AI venture aiming to automate 80% of KiwiSaver client-servicing tasks
Deepfake scams on the rise
Research commissioned by MasterCard has found that 29% of New Zealanders and 18% of NZ businesses have been targeted by deepfake scams in the past year.
Research commissioned by MasterCard has found that 29% of New Zealanders and 18% of NZ businesses have been targeted by deepfake scams in the past year. Deepfake scams use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate individuals, with the aim of stealing their targets’ money or personal information.
Deepfakes scams can utilise video, images and audio and can look increasingly convincing. Confidence levels in the ability to correctly identify deepfakes are low, with only 12% of respondents confident they would be able to detect a deepfake scam. Deepfakes are eroding trust in public figures and digital platforms, with 41% of individuals being more sceptical towards celebrities and influencers; 61% of kiwis being less trusting of social media platforms; 40% of New Zealanders being less trusting of emails and 37% of respondents being less trusting of phone calls compared to the previous year.
Some steps businesses are taking to address these risks include employing identification verification for accessing sensitive information, offering cybersecurity training and conducting training on financial transactions.
More news:
mySolutions webinar 'How non-PHARMAC drugs are covered in our Private Medical offering' 23 October
Chubb’s Underwriting Click to Chat function is live on Adviser Hub
AIA health premiums increasing from 1 November
AIA release latest version of Underwriting Guide
Link Financial Group appoints Luke Roberts and Quentin Holmes as national growth managers
Tony Vidler talks about the importance of focusing on existing client base
Looking at Existing Cover on Advicemonster
Our video shows you how to incorporate existing cover into your recommendations using Advicemonster.
This video shows you how to incorporate existing cover into your recommendations using Advicemonster.
What does a business version of the healthy futures report mean?
Southern Cross’s business edition of the 2024 Healthy Futures Report focuses on employee health and wellbeing.
We took a look at Southern Cross’s business edition of the 2024 Healthy Futures Report, which focuses on employee health and wellbeing. There are clear links between wealth and health, as the old saying has it. Whether one causes the other and in which direction the arrow of causality points is unexplored. We think it’s probably more complicated than this simple pairing of factors, although if someone becomes wealthy, they often become healthier. Likewise, if someone has the misfortune to become chronically ill, they usually get poorer. But these two are probably joined by other factors which may also have some power to affect outcomes – like education while young, health while a child, and current environment.
What employers can do to help is limited – but is appreciated by staff. At Quality Product Research Limited we offer seven of the eleven key suggestions made (soon to be expanded to eight) – we like that we can do that – but people use or do not use them pretty much as they please.
Key takeaways for us from the survey results:
89% of respondents said it was important to them to work for a company that supports the health and wellbeing of their staff.
55% of respondents’ employers were doing well in supporting their employees.
The top ten initiatives employers could invest in were wellbeing leave (36%), lunch or break room (29%), flu vaccinations (26%), healthy food options (25%), activities promoting good mental health (23%), workplace massage (23%), Employee Assistance Programme (22%), health assessments (21%), subsidised membership to off-site facilities (21%) and stress management programmes (20%).
88% of employees think having a good work-life balance is important, with a third considering taking steps to improve their work-life balance.
Making use of flexible working hours (43%) and switching off from work when finished for the day (43%) were the most common means of managing work-life balance. Conversely, having a high work load (60%), financial pressures (40%) and not having flexible working hours (40%) were cited as most commonly as reasons for poor work-life balance.
51% of workplaces offer flexible working arrangements, down from 54% in 2022; 60% of employees make use of flexible working hours most weeks and an additional 26% utilise it sometimes.
Only 45% of kiwis rate themselves as happy with their financial situation; 91% cite cost of living as one of their top concerns and 58% worry about not having enough money to support themselves or their families.
84% of New Zealanders are concerned about not having good, affordable access to healthcare, up 8% from 2022.
Kiwis don’t feel they are getting enough sleep (60%) or exercise (62%).
New Zealanders without health insurance were more likely to be less happy with their health, financial situation, mental wellbeing, fitness levels, weight of themselves and their children, exercised less on average and were more likely to be stressed.
Southern Cross highlight a series of initiatives workplaces could take to improve employee wellbeing, including:
offering education on stress management and financial management;
offering free fruit or healthy food in breakrooms;
encouraging employees to make use of flexible working if it’s offered;
offering health assessments;
educating employees on the importance of flu vaccinations;
offer opportunities for physical exercise, through work place team sports, sports day or subsidies for gyms or exercise equipment;
encouraging employees to take their annual leave;
training leaders to identify those at risk of burn-out;
offering wellbeing leave;
providing employee assistance programmes and educating employees on what it is and hot to use it;
offering subsidised health insurance.
1,463 employees were surveyed for this report in March 2024.
More news:
Changes to Partners Life’s My Underwriting Manager platform
Jon-Paul Hale talks about CPI & income protection claims
Resonate 2024: Navigating Innovation event 7 November
Amanda Bridge has joined Apex Advice as Adviser Manager
NZ banks begin rollout of the confirmation of payments service from November 2024
Centrix’s latest ‘Credit Indicator Report' finds 461,000 people are behind on their payments
The Monetary Policy Committee cut the Official Cash Rate to 4.75%
BNZ has launched a new security feature aimed at combating online scams
KiwiSaver determined to be competitive
The latest Melville Jessup Weaver analysis has determined that KiwiSaver is statistically competitive.
The latest Melville Jessup Weaver analysis has determined that KiwiSaver is statistically competitive. Competitiveness, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), improved slightly year on year. There are 38 schemes and 34 providers available for kiwis to choose from, with the three largest owners (ANZ, ASB and Fisher) accounting for around half of scheme members and assets. There was a slight shift in favour of providers outside the 10 largest, who expanded their market share by 0.5% during the 12 months to March 31.
More news:
FSC to hold member meeting on XRB Consultation
Banking Ombudsman Scheme received 6,054 cases
ANZ announce official partnership with Auckland Football Club
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
ASIC issue update on licensing; AML/CFT reforms to come; FMA research on KiwiSaver providers; RBNZ publish Governor's speech on improving Māori access to capital; APRA release June 2024 quarter insurance statistical publications; Updated AML/CFT Programme Guideline released.
11 Oct 2024 - ASIC issues 2023-24 update on licensing and professional registration activities. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-issues-2023-24-update-on-licensing-and-professional-registration-activities/?altTemplate=betanewsroom
13 Oct 2024 - The Government will reform New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-provide-significant-regulatory-relief-business
14 Oct 2024 - Research from the FMA has found most KiwiSaver providers are well placed to manage their exposure to the commercial real estate market but more work can be done to mitigate and communicate the risks. https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/research-on-cre-and-the-kiwisaver-industry/
14 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish Governor Adrian Orr's keynote speech: Improving Māori Access to Capital. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/improving-maori-access-to-capital
14 Oct 2024 - APRA has released its suite of quarterly industry aggregate insurance statistical publications for the June 2024 quarter. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-quarterly-insurance-statistics-for-june-2024
14 Oct 204 - The Department of Internal Affairs, the Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand have released the updated Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Programme Guideline. https://www.dia.govt.nz/Updated-AML-CFT-programme-guideline---October-2024