AFA seeks delay of FASEA code rollout

Currently, all advisers will be required to comply with the FASEA code of ethics from 1 January 2020.

But in a policy document to members, AFA general manager for policy and professionalism Phil Anderson said the code of ethics guidance has provided little insight into the requirements of the code of ethics or direction for financial advisers.

Further, he said the guidance document provided has instead opened up additional areas of confusion, with many of the examples being of either limited benefit, as they are obviously non-compliant, or they fail to address the core issues where guidance is required.

In particular, Mr Anderson called standard three on conflicts of interests inconsistent with the long-established requirements to manage and disclose conflicts of interest.

“Conflicts are very common in financial services and exist in ways that do not disadvantage clients. They cannot be completely eradicated, and an outright ban would be entirely impractical,” he said.

As a result, Mr Anderson said the AFA has been left with no choice other than to oppose the code of ethics in its current form, and called on the government to delay the commencement of the FASEA code until it can be re-worked and advisers can sensibly prepare for implementation.

“We were seeking much greater certainty through the guidance. We wanted to see a clear explanation of the situations where financial advice would be compliant. We wanted certainty that commissions on life insurance advice would be permitted,” explained Mr Anderson.

“What the guidance provides is no certainty, in that it lacks any explanation of where financial advice will be compliant, but rather identifies cases where potentially it might not be compliant. This has meant that we now have important additional areas of uncertainty with respect to brokerage, asset-based fees and commissions.

“It is unfortunate that the FASEA board have sought to use this as an opportunity to re-write the law that applies to financial advice, rather than use this as an opportunity to provide sensible guidance to the financial advice community with the development of a code that is both practical and consistent with the best interests of clients.”

Adrian Flores

Adrian Flores is a deputy editor at Momentum Media, focusing mainly on banking, wealth management and financial services. He has also written for Public Accountant, Accountants Daily and The CEO Magazine.

You can contact him on [email protected].