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.
Feedback requested on the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services
The Financial Advice Code Committee is seeking industry feedback on proposed amendments to the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services.
The consultation outlines three proposed amendments to the Code:
Formally recognise version 3 of the Level 5 Certificate, noting those who can demonstrate their competence, knowledge, and skill by reference to version 1 or version 2 of the Level 5 Certificate, or an equivalent qualification don’t need to update their qualification.
Retain the Level 5 Certificate qualification outcomes as the minimum standard for investment planning competence and remove the interim status of Code Standard 7.
Clarify the requirements for continuing professional development in CS9.
Code Committee Chair Angus Dale-Jones said
“The proposed amendments reinforce the importance of continuing professional development for financial advisers. That’s fundamental for the availability and quality of financial advice for all New Zealanders.”
Submissions are due by 5pm on Wednesday 14 August 2024. The committee will give an online presentation about the consultation on Thursday 4 July, you register here.
More news:
Financial Advice New Zealand has launched its Connect Tour 2024
Megan Beer awarded Honorary Life Membership at the ANZIIF Outstanding Contribution Awards
Retirement Commissioner asks financial services industry to raise KiwiSaver report with politicians
Roxanne Salton talks about how insurance firms can counter phishing attacks
Steve Wright identifies areas where FAPs and advisers need to improve
Steve Wright has examined the FMA’s FAP monitoring report and gone through the findings to highlight areas advisers and FAPs need to keep their eyes on.
While the FMA was for the most part happy with the results of their monitoring visits to around 60 FAPs, they did highlight a number of gaps where improvement is needed. In particular, the FMA identified ‘tick-box’ approaches to compliance as a root cause of some of these gaps.
Some areas that were identified as needing improvement were proper oversight of advice; identifying and working to close knowledge gaps; a considered approach to continuing professional development (CPD) with the identified learning achieved and recorded; some situations where the advice given was ‘unsatisfactory’; consideration of clients’ future needs.
More daily news:
mySolutions webinar 'Camilla Tumai, Bizcap Offering' 26 June
Pinnacle Life has been shortlisted for the 2024 Best Places to Work Awards
Southern Cross Healthcare supports Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s awareness campaign
Southern Cross Healthcare organises volunteer beach cleanups
Tony Vidler discusses the importance of an individual brand
TAP introduce the TAP Adviser Steering Committee
The US surgeon general seeks tobacco-like warning labels on social media platforms
AIA releases data on claims by age bracket
AIA has released information on claims by age bracket – counter to what is often seen in the media about elderly people having the highest health costs, the age bracket that had the most claims in 2023 was those aged 50 – 59.
AIA has released information on claims by age bracket – counter to what is often seen in the media about elderly people having the highest health costs, the age bracket that had the most claims in 2023 was those aged 50 – 59. This age group was paid out more than $197 million in 2023 out of $734.8 million in total claims.
Those aged 60 – 69, while still making up a large proportion of total claims, had a total of more than $139 million in claims paid out, with $65.55 million being on life policies, while those aged 70 and over claimed just $71 million, with $50.52 million being against life policies. The lower level of claims of those aged over 70 could be due to people reducing or dropping their cover as they get older and no longer have dependants to consider or mortgages to pay off.
It comes as no surprise that those aged 20 – 29 had a low level of claims, with only $2.6 million paid in claims against life policies and $7.7 million paid on health policies in this age bracket.
More daily news:
Insurance Business Mag highlights ways AI can impact health insurance
MAS asks Members to vote on a special resolution at the AGM
mySolutions webinar 'Gregor Mansfield, FINLIFE' 19 June
Partners Life webinar 'licensing and advice obligations' 18 & 19 June
The FSC is holding a CRD Series session on 19 June
Partners Life publishes gender pay gap data - we contrast that with ours
Partners Life has published their gender pay gap data as at March 2024.
Partners Life has published their gender pay gap data as at March 2024. While the Financial and Insurance Services industry as a whole has a gender pay gap of 30.2%, Partners Life’s gender pay gap is at 24.5%, which they have reduced from 26.1% in March 2023.
While pay gaps for males vs females in like-for-like roles are very small at Partners Life, the 24.5% overall gender pay gap reflects a higher level of men in senior roles than women. Partners Life has identified this as an issue and have introduced a range of initiatives to help reduce their pay gap, including monthly monitoring, implementing training programmes, offering flexible working arrangements.
Here at Quality Product Research Limited at the end of January we had 11 eligible roles active and our gender pay gap was about 8.5% - it has been as high as 19% and as low as parity. Like Partners Life, in like-for-like roles the gap is tiny. From a diversity perspective we are a bit small for detailed reporting (it would pretty soon get down to very small sets so we tend not to ask too many personal questions) but we do know that roughly a third of our staff were born in New Zealand, a third hail from the broad Asia-pacific region, and the remaining third from the UK-Europe-Middle-East. We now have 15 eligible roles so the numbers will have shifted again, but we have not recalculated yet, which will happen near the end of the year. Diversity, equity and inclusion are important to us, so this is an area we discuss and review with an eye to ensuring we benefit from a range of experiences and backgrounds.
More daily news:
FSC24 session spotlight: Life and Health Insurance Masterclass 3 September
Dates and venues for the FMA's FAP monitoring insights sessions released
NZFSG reminds advisers to be vigilant against risk of cyber attacks
Rob Hennin talks about nib partnering with iwi to deliver health insurance
Steven Burgess says advisers need to ensure their clients understand the advice they are offered
mySolutions webinar 'Online FMA Monitoring Visit' 9am 29 May
FSC Webinar 'Māori engagement in the financial services industry' 18 June
Mary Holm’s financial column covers whether you really need life and health insurance
Kiwibank has announced the appointment of Anne Haira to its board
Chubb Life increase their Lifetime Reward discount and enhance commission offering
Chubb Life have increased their current 10% Lifetime Reward discount to 15% for all new business issued from 16 April to 30 June 2024.
Chubb Life have increased their current 10% Lifetime Reward discount to 15% for all new business issued from 16 April to 30 June 2024. The discount is available on Life and Trauma covers on Chubb Life’s Assurance Extra and Assurance Extra Business policies for customers who have a BMI measurement of between 18.5 and 24.9 and who have been a non-smoker for at least 12 months. Clients can combine this offer with the current 2 months’ free and multi-benefit discount offers.
Chubb have updated their scenario videos to help you explain how different customers can make the most of the offers.
From 30 April, Chubb Life are increasing their pendulum commission offering for new business, providing an up-front component when you choose either the 15%, 20% or 30% renewal option. They will pay renewal commission from Month 2. Chubb Life have also increased their Disability Income upfront rate and pendulum options.
More daily news:
nib Group's Brendan Mills talks about the challenges in migrating to the cloud
Steve Wright gives his views on statements of advice
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'When Clients Claim' 1 May
Jon-Paul Hale talks through the problem of digital document insecurity
The Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ) opens up membership
The FSC release report on insights and trends in healthcare
The Financial Services Council (FSC) have released their Insights and Trends report “Health trends: Accessible and affordable healthcare”.
The Financial Services Council (FSC) have released their Insights and Trends report “Health trends: Accessible and affordable healthcare”. Some key insights and trends include:
A looming social healthcare crisis, as aging populations live longer, but not healthier. As life expectancy lengthens, there needs to be a global focus on increasing health span, the time that people live in good health.
Kiwis with health insurance has increased by 1.2%, to 1.45 million in 2023.
37% of kiwis reported having health insurance in 2023, up from 32% in 2022.
Mental health is the most concerning health issue, especially for younger generations (with 42% of 18-28 year old respondents and 39% of 29-43 year old respondents highlighting it as their main concern).
The top reason for taking out health or medical insurance was peace of mind, followed by reducing stress if myself/my family were going through a difficult time and it seeming like a financially responsible thing to do.
The main reason given for cancelling health cover was cost of living pressures meaning people can no longer afford it (55%).
More daily news:
Russell Hutchinson discusses assessing clients' financial needs for their entire lifetime
Financial Advice NZ to hold regional town hall meetings in April and May, with members in those regions to be contacted directly
Bill could modernise insurance law
On March 21st, a Member’s Bill was drawn that, if passed, could modernise insurance law. Labour Party MP Duncan Webb, a former insurance lawyer, says his Insurance Contracts Bill will require “…insurance contract terms to be both clear and fair”.
If the Bill is passed, it would introduce penalties for insurers who failed to act in good faith, such as not completing a claim in a timely manner. The Bill requires polices be clearer and in plain language, to better help consumers understand the terms of the insurance they’re signing up for.
We’ll keep an eye on this and report back as the situation progresses.
More daily news:
Clive Fernandes talks about Generative and Customer-Facing AI impact on financial advisers
Steve Wright talks about how advisers need to be wary of the Dunning Kruger effect
Jeff Royle says banks have been slow to disclose to customers about clawbacks
The Financial Services Council has launched Empower Women
TSB receive three Canstar awards for their credit cards
Jon-Paul Hale talks of how identity fraud and paper document security concerns are on the rise
Gallagher Bassett publish annual insurer survey report The Carrier Perspective: 2024 Claims Insights
Chubb Life has partnered with Kiwi charity Keep New Zealand Beautiful
The latest ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows business confidence levels fell 12 points
Survey finds 44% of insurance advisers in Australia are charging clients for advice
Southern Cross cautioned by FMA for neglecting to apply advertised discounts
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has issued warnings to Southern Cross Medical Care Society and Southern Cross pet Insurance for failing to apply advertised discounts to their insurance products.
Both entities have accepted they had breached the fair dealing provisions of the Financial Markets Conduct Act by making false or misleading representations. The FMA determined the cause of each issue was due to poor controls and/or technical errors. The FMA found no evidence of deliberate misconduct.
Southern Cross Pet Insurance initially reported to the FMA in November 2022 some of the contraventions. Further enquiries from the FMA and an internal review in the wider Southern Cross Group established the extant of the contraventions.
SCPI failed to correctly apply the following discounts:
· Additional pet discount
· Direct debit discount
· Southern Cross membership discount.
SCMCS failed to correctly apply the following discounts:
· Free child discount
· Healthy lifestyle rewards discount
· Low claims discount.
The total amount of Southern Cross Pet Insurance premiums overcharged was $424,508, affecting 7,542 customers. Southern Cross Medical Care Society overcharged $161,547 across 1,957 customers.
More daily news:
Changes to Chubb’s eApp requirement for non-residents to provide a copy of their visa
The Insurance Council to reveal the number of complaints lodged against individual companies
Kevin Smee suggests health insurance premiums should be tax deductible
Tony Vidler spells out the risks of marketing a service as 'free'
FAMNZ will be taking membership applications from next month
In 2023, four out of five New Zealand businesses embraced flexible working hours
Commerce Commission says mortgage advisers at risk of being ‘unduly influenced’ by commissions
Controversy has arisen based on the back of some comments John Small, Commerce Commission chair has made around the mortgage advice sector, on the back of the Commerce Commission releasing a draft report from the market study on the banking sector that has recently been released.
Controversy has arisen based on the back of some comments John Small, Commerce Commission chair has made around the mortgage advice sector, on the back of the Commerce Commission releasing a draft report from the market study on the banking sector that has recently been released.
Small told journalists that he’s ‘not sure if you went to a mortgage broker that they would tell you’ about how they only work with certain banks and the different commissions advisers can receive, stating,
“From the broker's point of view, they will get different amounts of money from different banks. I'm not sure when you go to a mortgage broker that they would declare that to you.”
There has been a lot of feedback from mortgage advisers on the article posted on Good Returns, qualifying that they both state which banks they work with and the fees they receive from each bank in their disclosure statements all clients receive.
We study disclosure documents and note that they are all good at disclosing the range of lenders that the mortgage adviser offers to clients. The information is in the public disclosure document and is clear. The range that most mortgage advisers have access to through their aggregator is usually extensive as well - they are subject to commercial pressures and operate under strong incentives to ensure that they have relationships with at least the main lenders. Most have longer lists. Although we cannot access robust statistical information on disclosure on specific fees and commissions once a preferred lender is established, we note that there is clear guidance on how to make effective commission disclosure. So it would be interesting to hear more details on the experiences are leading the Commerce Commission to this viewpoint. On the other hand, the comments about AML/CFT limiting access to even basic banking services ring true to many of us in the sector.
More daily news:
Financial Advice NZ central branch meeting 26 March, Palmerston North
Fidelity Life and Kaplan Professional join together to deliver Career Connect training
Fidelity Life has partnered with Kaplan Professional to deliver their Career Connect financial adviser training programme. Kaplan Professional will join as the programme’s education provider, in conjunction with Massey University.
Fidelity Life has partnered with Kaplan Professional to deliver their Career Connect financial adviser training programme. Kaplan Professional will join as the programme’s education provider, in conjunction with Massey University. Kaplan Professional will fund a new Women in Finance Scholarship, to join Fidelity Life’s existing six scholarships.
Applications are open for Career Connect’s 2024 intake, with 30 places, including 7 scholarships, available. The programme runs from May until December 2024.
The scholarships available are:
Women in Finance scholarship brought to you by Kaplan Professional, designed to assist female applicants to become financial advisers
Rural scholarship brought to you by FMG, designed for applicants with a rural connection
Pounamu scholarship, designed to assist Māori applicants
Kōwhai scholarship, designed to assist Pasifika applicants
Rāngi Po scholarship, designed to support underrepresented identities in our industry.
Toe Toe scholarship, designed to recognise outstanding young applicants.
Pāua scholarship, designed to recognise outstanding applicants who demonstrate excellence.
Kaplan Professional CEO Brian Knight said
“Programs like Career connect provide the ideal launchpad for a bright future in financial advice, so we are delighted to collaborate with Fidelity Life on what we believe is a terrific initiative to strengthen New Zealand’s talent pipeline.”
“We also remain steadfast in our commitment to encouraging and promoting diversity within the industry, so we are thrilled to be able to provide a scholarship for women in every intake of the program.”
There is a free online career evening on March 19 where those interested can find out more about becoming a financial adviser, what being a financial adviser is really like and how Career Connect can support you to gain the qualifications and skills necessary to become a successful financial adviser.
More daily news:
Westpac introduces the LanguageLoop interpreting service
ANZ discloses slight improvement in its gender pay gap for 2023
Survey finds 62% of kiwis feel KiwiSaver contributions should be compulsory
The Co-operative bank is hosting a webinar on 12 March about proposed governance changes
The New Zealand Health Survey found roughly a million New Zealanders missing out on seeing their GP
New campaign tries to lure NZ health workers to Australia
Kordia study highlights toll cyberattacks take on New Zealand's large businesses