Karren Vergara is a financial journalist with Financial Standard, covering wealth management, including superannuation, banking and financial planning. She is one of the hosts of the Financial Standard Podcast. Prior to becoming a journalist, Karren was an accountant for more than 10 years. She has a diploma in journalism and Bachelor's degree in business, both from UTS, and was named Financial Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Impact Awards. Connect with Karren Vergara on LinkedIn.
Super funds ‘saved their own skins’ at expense of members
Senator Jane Hume has slammed super funds for creating rainy day funds to pay for misconduct penalties out of Aussie retirement savings.
ATO won’t pursue $180m in overpaid JobKeeper
The tax office will not pursue businesses that took advantage of JobKeeper despite large profits, nor will it ask small businesses to repay $180 million claimed in error.
Junk insurance lands Westpac in court
ASIC is taking Westpac to the Federal Court, alleging it sold junk credit insurance to 384 customers whose accounts were unlawfully debited to pay for the premiums.
As a woman with $154k in my super fund, I am an outlier
Despite multiple funds, periods of unemployment and a year of maternity leave, my super balance is somehow more than double the average for a woman my age.
Why women-led super funds continue to outperform
New research shows superannuation funds with females holding an executive position continue to outperform male counterparts.
ASX delays CHESS replacement until April 2023
The ASX has again pushed back the replacement of the computer system it uses to manage the settlement of share transactions, this time until 2023.
The hidden costs of having a baby (when you’re not a royal)
All eyes are on the royals as the world awaits the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first child. But, away from Windsor Castle, how much does it cost to have a baby?
