Following a 2018 full of upheaval and policy changes taking effect, 2019 looks to be another year of technical and regulatory change for the superannuation industry, of which consumers look set to be a focus.
QMV principal consultant, Wendy Colaço, said the combined effect of member outcomes assessments, consumer data rights, financial product design and distribution obligations, and of course Royal Commission recommendations, would see members prioritised in regulatory and business decisions.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s (APRA’s) new prudential standard and guidance on strategic planning and member outcomes was one example of this, as were proposed product obligations laws.
Unsurprisingly given the regulatory breaches uncovered by the Royal Commission last year, Colaço also warned that there would be a continued heavy focus on remediation of breaches this year, as the industry sees a “more assertive regulatory posture” following the Commission.
The consultant also suggested that the Royal Commission would lead to greater asymmetric competition in the industry, as disruptive innovators sought to capitalise on opportunities cropping up in supply chains or consumer interfaces, rather than through direct competition.
“New entrants from the tech sector will develop to meet the demands of an emerging demographic, such as new payments platforms plugging holes in a disjointed industry but answering the needs of a community demanding immediate service and nimble products,” Colaço said.
“It is likely we will see a flood of new market entrants looking to capitalise on market opportunities resulting from the reputational impacts of the royal commission through using modern technologies, particularly in the banking, financial planning, and insurance sectors.”
Future Group is set to take on nearly $1 billion in funds under management (FUM) and welcome more than 100,000 new members following two significant successor fund transfers.
Insignia’s Master Trust business suffered a 1.9 per cent dip in FUA in the third quarter, amid total net outflows of $1.8 billion.
While the Liberal senator has accused super funds of locking everyday Australians out of the housing market, industry advocates say the Coalition’s policy would only push home ownership further out of reach.
Australia’s largest superannuation fund has confirmed all members who had funds stolen during the recent cyber fraud crime have been reimbursed.