The SMSF Association has announced it will establish a global centre of excellence for retirement savings, the body’s first major initiative under new chief executive John Maroney, who came on board in May.

Listed wealth management firm Spring Financial Group (Spring FG) has released a comprehensive seven-part SMSF trustee program, in a move that furthers its commitment to consumer and industry professional education.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has banned former Magnitude Group financial adviser Jason Sean Atkins from providing financial services for three years after it found he had failed to meet the best interests duty.