Universal Approved Product Lists

Advisers are currently paying anywhere between 5%-15% of their revenues to licensees to support them with licensing requirements – from technology to training to access to discounted services like research. One of the fundamental licensing elements is that of the “Approved Product List” (APL) – a co-regulatory construct that licensees examine and research products and determine what advisers can or cannot sell to their clients.

We currently have 1,531 licensees in Australia that license 24,000 advisers. The APL is not an explicit requirement under legislation nor captured under any Regulatory Guide issued by ASIC, although ASIC RG175 does articulate client best interest in promotion of products.

51% of advisers are part of dealer groups and ownership structures that are heavily reliant on the APLs of their licensees, and the research that has been undertaken by the licensee for the adviser to promote or sell certain products to their clients. So, do advisers have a wide enough APL to consider the varied interests of their client base? Should we have a universal APL that takes the decision making away from licensees?

*NB - 250+ adviser licensees include all licensees under the "Big 6" irrespective of size

 

When we founded Adviser Ratings, there were predominantly two sides to the APL debate: 

1. Certain licensees argued they had research and compliance teams in place that either evaluated or manufactured product that were client centric and reach minimum performance hurdles.
2. Other licensees argued their approach was more fluid and evaluated product on an as needs basis by the client depending on their risk appetite

On evaluation of the two groups, there were two distinct "markers" that could suggest both sides of the divide weren't acting in the client's best interest. Those in the first group were more likely to promote manufactured products and those in the second group were more likely to promote high commission or “riskier” products. Hence the advent of FOFA. 

So, wouldn’t a universal APL be the panacea for the industry problems? Funded by advisers or licensees as an independent body out of the 5-15% revenue streams? When discussing this story with advisers, product providers and executives of licensees, we have paraphrased some of the feedback, both positive and negative: 

  - “From the $200M collectively that the majors spend, an independent body could be funded to weed out the product that should not exist. Although it would mean the majors pitting their product against each others” 

  - “There would be no reason for CBA, AMP and the like to exist if they had a universal APL” 

  - “Product manufacturers should rightfully bear the burden of proving their product is worthy of being on a universal APL” 

  - “With an all encompassing, wide APL, there needs to be consideration given to training of the products listed. That said, most advisers and licensees would still stick to what they know, but it would give leeway to advisers to consider product they wouldn't normally."

  - "Clients will always have product they want their advisers to consider, that would undoubtedly never make a universal APL. Consideration needs to be given for this."

  - "Smaller licensees wouldn't have to carry the burden on the opaque APL construct that exists with many licensees today. Given the ever increasing cost of compliance, an aggregated solution like this would be welcome for the 1-2 man bands."

So, could a universal APL actually work?

One executive described it like banishing the State Governments and giving the reins to the Federal Government.

"There are too many vested interests and unforeseen impacts to licensee's bottom lines, to research houses that syndicate their research and to product manufacturers coming up with the next hook."

 

Article by:

Angus Woods

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