Most clients cannot meet their financial objectives without the design and implementation of an investment strategy. Judging by complaint categories, this can be a contentious area and one in which ethical behaviour and absolute professionalism is paramount. This article, proudly sponsored by GSFM, examines the varied investment ‘suppliers’ and examines ethical practices through an investment lens. In developing its Code of Ethics, FASEA was focused on making sure financial advisers [...]

Most financial advice practices have referral partners they send business to, or receive business from. You may also use any number of third party outsource providers for non-client facing elements of your service offering. This article examines your obligations with respect to those relationships and FASEA’s Code of Ethics. Ethics and trust go hand in hand. They are mutually reinforcing; improving one improves the other, but conversely, damaging one damages [...]

Introduction Compounding the impact of ongoing licensee consolidation and new professional development requirements, the LIF driven reshaping of adviser remuneration for life insurance advice – in the form of lower up-front commissions and higher renewal commissions – has left many advisers no choice but to rethink, and, in many cases, fine tune their business models. Typical adviser responses have included a heightened focus on the efficiency of advice delivery (and [...]

Uncertain times generally mean anxious clients. The double whammy of a health and financial crisis means the need for you to connect with clients is more important than ever, but comes at a time when face to face communication is not possible. The first part of this article, sponsored by Zurich Australia, examined the first three steps you can take to enhance client engagement at this time. This second part [...]