Equity Trustees to exit superannuation trustee business

• Equity Trustees has announced its intention to exit from independent superannuation trusteeship to simplify its operational footprint.
• The subsidiary business slated for exit oversees $95 billion of funds under management and generates $26 million of annualised revenue.
• The strategic decision follows a comprehensive review focused on shifting regulatory conditions, changing client needs, and elevating operating costs.

EQT Holdings (ASX:EQT) has announced its intention to withdraw from independent superannuation trusteeship via its subsidiary, Equity Trustees Superannuation, as part of a strategic refocus on its core corporate trustee and wealth services.

The decision follows a strategic review of the business that evaluated market dynamics, shifting regulatory requirements, evolving client needs, and long-term shareholder value.

“This decision enables a more focused, simplified and lower risk operating model centred on our core businesses,” said Equity Trustees Managing Director Mick O'Brien.

The superannuation trustee business accounted for 5% of group net profit before tax in the first half of the 2026 financial year, carrying approximately A11 million of shared corporate overheads.

The company stated that a further update regarding the future of the superannuation trustee services business is expected to be provided prior to the 2026 financial year group earnings announcement.

Following the announcement, the EQT Holdings share price was unchanged at $18.46.

If the subsidiary retires from its appointments, the company will be required to repay $36 million in loan facilities used to capitalise the entity for regulatory capital purposes.

The company stated that it intends to manage the loan repayment through ongoing capital management and liquidity planning, with no current intention to divest the subsidiary entity or alter its financial standing.