The future of financial advice in Ireland

So this is where we take out our crystal ball! Consumers sometimes are not clear about the value of financial advice, a situation that we are trying very hard to change. We know the value that is offered every day by Financial Brokers the length and breadth of the country, so here are a few thoughts on what you can expect to gain from seeking financial advice from a professional Financial Broker. The good news is that this future has now pretty much arrived! A good Financial Broker will deliver on these today.

Consumers don’t want conflicted advice
This is probably the key point. Consumers want advice and financial solutions that are based on their specific goals and objectives, and not those of the person giving the advice. The independence of the advice giver is critical here, they need to be able to seek out and provide the very best solution in the market for the client. The days of “force fitting” clients to the single product solution that is the only one available to a product seller are long gone. The solution must start and end with the client – their specific goals, their requirements and their specific circumstances.

Financial Brokers are not aligned to any one organisation and can advice upon the products of many organisations. Their advice starts and ends with the client, not the products available to them.

Consumers want clear and transparent charging
Similar to any other product or service bought by consumers, they rightly want to know what it is costing them. The providers of financial advice need to be able to clearly demonstrate the value that they are bringing through their advice, and what this advice costs. The adviser needs to be able to set out clearly how they will make a difference to the financial future of the client, and charge accordingly for this. Consumers can choose to pay for this through commission taken by the adviser from products, or by separate fees – however the adviser needs to be able to communicate clearly the value that will be gained from their advice.

Financial advice is about lifetime relationships
This might sound like a lofty statement, but it is so true! Financial advice is not a point in time transaction, it is a journey. It starts with the adviser identifying the desired financial outcomes of a client (the destination) and understanding the client’s current circumstances (the starting point). The adviser then puts in place the financial solutions (the vehicle) to help you achieve your objectives.

But as with any journey, the minute that you set off, everything changes! Financial markets change, your circumstances change, maybe your objectives change. So your financial adviser needs to travel on your financial journey with you.

Unlike in your bank branch, your Financial Broker will be a consistent figure throughout this journey. Continuing to guide you and redirect you as needed.

Financial advice was never more valuable. Can you afford not to get it from a Financial Broker?