The custody arm of financial services company BNP Paribas Australia and New Zealand, BNP Paribas Security Services, is considering the business case for establishing an investment platform for self-managed super funds (SMSF).

The availability of bond products through the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) will increase SMSFs’ allocation to the asset class and provide necessary negative correlation to equities in portfolios.

SMSF trustees can maximise the tax deductions they receive from their contributions for the current financial year through the use of an unallocated contribution account (UCA), according to a specialist deed provider.

The SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) has strongly endorsed the government’s clarification of its position regarding the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) amendments, labelling it a step in the right direction for the financial advice industry.

SMSFs performed better than their Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)-regulated counterparts over the eight-year period between 2004/05 and 2011/12, according to industry research conducted by Rice Warner on behalf of National Australia Bank (NAB).

The profile of Australian SMSF members has changed significantly compared to just last year, according to an analysis of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data.

The banking and financial services arm of Macquarie has launched a SuperStream service for its existing SMSF clients.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has officially withdrawn an interpretive decision (ID) that created industry uncertainty over when a pension began and when it ceased in relation to the tax treatment of earnings.

The SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) has encouraged trustees to take advantage of strategies that can minimise tax liabilities before 30 June.