Product Governance

Product governance helps ensure financial products, investment solutions and advice-related offerings are designed, distributed and managed in a way that delivers appropriate customer outcomes. Effective product governance extends beyond product selection. It requires ongoing oversight of how products operate, who they are designed for, how they are monitored and whether they continue to meet their intended objectives.

Regulators increasingly expect financial services businesses to demonstrate that products remain suitable for their target market, are supported by effective governance arrangements and operate in a manner consistent with customer interests. This includes oversight of product design, distribution practices, platform governance, investment management arrangements and the controls that support ongoing monitoring and review.

For advisers, licensees and product issuers, product governance often involves balancing innovation, flexibility and operational efficiency with the need for appropriate oversight, documentation and accountability. Whether managing investment platforms, managed discretionary accounts, model portfolios or other investment solutions, organisations must be able to demonstrate that governance arrangements support defensible and customer-focused outcomes.

This resource hub explores product governance, platform oversight, managed discretionary accounts, investment governance, product monitoring and regulatory expectations affecting financial services businesses. These resources provide practical guidance to help organisations strengthen product oversight, improve governance controls and support better customer outcomes.