Two of Australia’s best-performing superannuation funds are preparing a ground-breaking Joint Venture that will be a significant move towards consolidation in the industry.
The trustees of Equip Super and Catholic Super have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which, subject to completion of final due diligence, will establish a Joint Venture Trustee – initially managing over $26 billion in funds for about 150,000 members. Both funds have a history of exceptional performance, consistently ranking in the top ten of superannuation funds.
The move comes as funds in the superannuation industry seek to improve member outcomes and best interests through the economies of scale consolidation can deliver.
Catholic Super and Equip have reaffirmed their commitment to a skills-based governance structure focused on the interests of members, with a third of all directors to be independent. Both are profit to member funds and are aligned in terms of vision and values.
Equipsuper Chair, Andrew Fairley AM, said he was delighted to enter into the MOU with a like-minded fund that focused on profits solely for the benefit of members, and endorsed a skills-based selection of trustees – one third from members, one third from employers and one third independent.
“This joint venture would contain costs and improve efficiency, bringing real benefits to members,” Mr Fairley said. “It is positive proof the Extended Public Offer (EPO) model provides a solution to funds who value their brands and connection to community, while enabling economies of scale.”
“This joint venture will be ideally positioned for future growth. This structure will drive stronger performance through efficiencies and scale of investments.”
Equip boasts a consistently high investment performance, among SuperRatings’ top ten super funds over all periods in the decade to 31 December 2018.
Chair of Catholic Super, Danny Casey, said the Joint Venture had many benefits for all. “The Joint Venture is the perfect pathway, bringing our members the benefits of scale while retaining the Catholic Super identity and strong connection with those working in Catholic institutions and communities,” he said.
“Catholic organisations are one of our country’s largest employer groups who care for and educate millions of Australians every day. For nearly 50 years Catholic Super has invested wisely to grow the life savings and retirement income for nearly 75,000 super members – many of whom are hard-working teachers and nurses. We are committed to continuing this member-driven focus within the Joint Venture.”
Catholic Super also brings a top ten track record to the Joint Venture. It was recently ranked by Canstar as one of the six top funds in Australia across a broad range of consumer groups for its combination of investment returns, fees, insurance options and access to advice and information. Catholic Super won the Roy Morgan 2018 Customer Satisfaction Award for Industry Superannuation Fund of The Year.
