![]() Michelle Baltazar Editor-in-Chief, Rainmaker Information Pty Ltd Prior to joining Financial Standard, Michelle worked for London-based weekly investment magazine Shares where she wrote a regular column on derivatives and separately, on fund managers. She was also the magazine's resident reporter covering the telecommunication, software services, support services and household goods & textiles sectors. From 1998-2000, Michelle was the Rich 200 researcher at Australia's national business magazine BRW. Michelle graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Biology and Biochemistry. She has completed a Diploma of Financial Markets from the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA).
MICHELLE BALTAZAR | WEDNESDAY, 16 JAN 2019 There's a lot at stake as the managed accounts industry moves into a year of consolidation and reforms post-Royal Commission. Here are five new developments that could reshape the industry in 2019. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | TUESDAY, 18 DEC 2018 There are five areas of improvement that financial advisers who offer managed accounts should be watching closely in 2019. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | WEDNESDAY, 13 JUN 2018 There is nothing more brutal than receiving bad news on the eve of a long weekend. Worse, they were sent by email. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | TUESDAY, 10 APR 2018 In property, it's all about location. In managed accounts, it's all about conviction. High conviction, to be more precise. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | TUESDAY, 16 JAN 2018 How do you look after investors in a world where superintelligence becomes the norm? Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | MONDAY, 11 DEC 2017 From Amazon to the Royal Commission, time is running out for the industry's resident slackers, pretenders and Flat Earthers. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | MONDAY, 18 SEP 2017 When I reflect on where the financial advice industry is heading, I can't help but recall the speech given by Greg Whitwell, dean of the University of Sydney Business School, at the annual Alumni Dinner in August. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | MONDAY, 14 AUG 2017 There's a very important cohort of investors who are, for now, relatively silent in the managed accounts debate. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | MONDAY, 17 JUL 2017 I asked a financial adviser a few weeks ago what compels him to use managed accounts, given it's not the most popular choice among his peers. Read more MICHELLE BALTAZAR | TUESDAY, 20 JUN 2017 Something interesting is bubbling along in the world of regulation. Two weeks ago, ASIC announced it will host a 'hackathon' later this year to find tech solutions for the financial services industry's regulatory problem. Read more |
Latest News
Perpetual hit with double whammy redemption, impairment
Perpetual's earnings will be slugged with a massive impairment thanks to an unnamed client redeeming nearly $6.5 billion (US$4.6bn) from a strategy run by Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC (TSW).
GQG hit by $21bn outflows, FUM falls
GQG Partners has recorded US$15.1 billion ($21.2 billion) in net outflows in the first half of 2026, sending funds under management (FUM) down 9.5% despite resilient investment performance across several of its strategies.
Qualitas seizes on private credit shift to Europe
Qualitas is firmly positioning itself in the UK with a major acquisition as it bets on institutional investors' shifting appetite for private credit opportunities away from the US to Europe and APAC.
Zurich completes ClearView takeover
Zurich Financial Services Australia has completed its acquisition of ClearView Wealth, with the insurer now the registered holder of all ClearView shares.
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MICHAEL TOWNSEND
PARTNER & PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISER
TOWNSEND COBAIN PTY LTD
PARTNER & PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISER
TOWNSEND COBAIN PTY LTD
Tim Townsend is a people person at heart, and using managed accounts he has more time to do what he loves most - engaging with clients. But that doesn't mean just any solution will do. Eliza Bavin writes.









