Colonial First State (CFS) is celebrating a milestone this month as its award-winning FirstTech Strategic Update reaches its 100th edition.  

The bi-monthly guide is sent to almost 6,000 advisers around the country, providing technical information and analysis of a broad range of advice issues and strategy. 

First published in 1999, the FirstTech Strategic Update has guided advisers through the complexities of the Government’s 2007 ‘Simpler Super’ changes; reforms in aged care; and provided support during the GFC’s most volatile periods. In the last financial year alone, the FirstTech team answered more than 14,800 calls for assistance.

The regular commentary and support by the team of financial advisers, and in turn their customers’ financial wellbeing, has seen them ranked Number 1 for Best Technical Support in the annual Wealth Insights survey for the last 10 consecutive years. 

CFS’ Executive Manager of Technical Services, Craig Day, who has been with the team since its inception, says the type of requests for support has changed over the years:

“Advisers now want our assistance in building total strategic solutions for clients, whereas when the First Tech team first started out we were answering more simple technical queries around things like tax deduction eligibility for personal superannuation contributions. 

“Knowledge of this basic technical information tends to be well covered, and the demand now is for the team to assist with more complicated strategies. It reflects a big improvement in adviser education.”

The team continues to focus on innovating how it delivers its information, following the successful launch of the FirstTech app earlier this year, enabling easier access to technical support and information for advisers