Insights + events

Many investors equate balance with diversification alone. But balance means understanding how each investment or exposure contributes to the twin goals of growth and protection and whether the portfolio is robust enough to withstand challenging times.

It’s the season for gifts, sharing meals and spreading cheer. But what if your festive generosity could do more? Giving isn’t just an act of kindness; it can also be a smart financial move.

Inaction can be costly when it comes to building long-term wealth. Whether it’s leaving money in cash, delaying investment decisions or ignoring the power of regular contributions, the financial consequences of sitting still can quietly erode your future goals.

The months leading up to 30 June provide a valuable opportunity to review your superannuation balance and explore ways to boost your retirement savings. Making additional contributions (on top of any super guarantee paid by an employer) could make a big difference to your retirement balance thanks to the magic of compounding interest. Here’s how: […]

The general Transfer Balance Cap (TBC) will increase from $1.9M to $2M from 1 July 2025. This is welcome news for retirees; with the new $2 million cap, couples can have a total of $4 million in the tax-free retirement phase.

When interest rates drop, it often sparks excitement, as people start thinking about lower repayments, cheaper loans, and extra cash flow. While it’s tempting to pocket the savings and treat yourself, a drop in interest rates presents an incredible opportunity to make smarter financial decisions that can set you up for the future.

There’s no telling how the market will perform in a given year. But all the ups and downs you learned to live with throughout your working life become much more consequential as you approach what’s called the ‘retirement risk zone’ – the five to ten years either side of your retirement date. This is when your savings are particularly vulnerable to market downturns.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced wide ranging tariffs which surprised investment markets in both their magnitude and variability. Investment markets reacted negatively to the announcement as investors quickly moved to a “risk-off” stance whilst they attempted to quantify the risks of the Trump tariffs and implications for both investment markets and the economy.  

Consistent with market expectations, the 2025-26 Federal Budget was relatively uneventful amidst an uncertain economy, global trade wars and rising tariff tensions. The focus was on targeted cost-of-living relief ahead of the upcoming election, with tax cuts and new spending measures designed to ease financial pressures on households. Highlights: > Cost-of-living support: Tax cuts for […]

2025 started mostly on a positive note for markets. The United States (US) was poised for growth, and whilst the US market appeared expensive, many were predicting another good year for US equities. Globally, inflation appeared to be under control or least on a downward trajectory. The usual mix of geopolitical tensions, domestic politics, and […]

CHAOS REIGNED across global markets this week as investor concerns became sharply elevated due to the collapse of three small banks in the US and the Credit Suisse crisis that saw the bank bailed out. However, a closer look at the specific situations shows that investors could be creating connections that aren’t there – meaning, […]

WHILE THE 0.5% GROWTH FIGURE for the December quarter and 2.7% estimate for all of 2022 was on forecast, a tantalising bit of economic data is the sharp month on month fall in inflation in January. The Australian Bureau of Statistics monthly inflation indicator came in at 7.4%, down noticeably from the surprise 8.4% reading in […]

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER INFLATION showed signs of slowing in the three months to June, with an annual rate of 6.0%, down from 7.0% in the previous March quarter.  Despite this decrease, concerns remain at the Reserve Bank about the persistent rise in costs across the economy. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that core inflation also […]

IN A CHALLENGING economic climate that has seen many Australians grappling with pressure from rising interest rates and living costs, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down the 2023-24 Federal Budget. Key announcements: Deloitte’s Budget Digest provides an excellent snapshot of the proposals and what they could mean for your finances and lifestyle.  Keep in […]

Certe has acquired financial advisory business, Genesis Financial Partners, to create a large, integrated professional services firm with 20+ staff including nine advisers. The deal will significantly expand Certe’s risk insurance and employee benefits business, and bring additional capability in holistic financial advice and wealth management. The combined group’s client base, which includes many large […]

Since the arrival of COVID-19 on the shores of Australia we have seen many businesses impacted including our clients and insurers. Having an employee insurance program is a great way to stand out from your competitors. As we head in to the next 12 months and beyond, many companies will review their employee insurance benefits […]

In late April, Certe Wealth Protection struck a deal with AZ Next Generation Advisory (AZNGA) to help drive further growth in our business. Certe now has the financial backing of a large integrated accounting and financial advisory business to help improve our offering to our clients. AZNGA saw the quality and value of Certe’s service […]

With many individuals experiencing the financial impact of COVID-19, you may be looking to lodge your 19/20 FY tax return early to potentially receive a refund. Before the EOFY, it may be worthwhile spending time looking at ways to maximise deductions, offsets and contributions in order to maximise your tax refund. Here are a few […]