MDRT Update, WHK Group Strategic Partnership, FPA Initiative
MDRT Update
The Australian Million Dollar Round Table Association (MDRT) says it expects its Australian membership base to grow over the course of 2009.
Australian MDRT Chairman, Stuart Farrell, believes his association can add value for advisers, especially under current economic conditions:
“In these particularly challenging economic times, MDRT provides members with unique, interactive forums and events at a local, national and international level that help them manage their practices with greater efficiency, effectiveness, profitability and dedication to addressing the financial and protection needs of clients,” said Mr Farrell.
The annual meeting of the global MDRT is being held in Indiana, USA, from 7th - 11th June 2009. This year’s meeting comprises main platform and focus sessions designed, according to MDRT, to assist members achieve their personal and professional improvement goals - and also provide knowledge and expertise that assists them to address the growing complexities of wealth accumulation, retirement planning and lifestyle protection.
Any advisers wishing to find out more about the MDRT in Australia or the annual meeting can take the following link: MDRT Australia.
WHK Group Strategic Partnership
WHK Group has announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Macquarie Private Wealth (Macquarie).
Under the strategic partnership, WHK will have access to the products, services, resources and expertise of Macquarie in order to support the continuing implementation of WHK’s ‘Total Financial Solutions’ strategy.
WHK and Macquarie advise they will share their knowledge and other intellectual property with a view to further developing WHK’s financial services businesses in Australia and New Zealand and capturing revenue, earnings and margin improvement opportunities in the short, medium and long-term.
According to WHK, one of the key guiding principles of the strategic partnership is that it will continue to apply its “client first philosophy” and will remain committed to providing impartial advice to all of its clients.
FPA Initiative
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has recently announced an initiative to boost adviser numbers in the financial planning profession.
This move comes at a time when the Association believes that ten per cent of financial planners are set to leave the industry over the next five to ten years.
The FPA is looking to engage the next generation of advisers by using what it refers to as ‘Social Media Technology’. This technology includes a new student website - www.iplan2.com.au, which will provide students with an access point to learn about the nature of financial planning and also explore career pathways into the profession.
As well as financial planning jobs, this interactive resource will also offer access to career advice, videos from successful advisers and industry executives, an opportunity to vote in various polls as well as interactive questions and comments via web logs (blogs).
FPA CEO, Jo-Anne Bloch said “Our research shows there is a significant awareness gap about financial planning among university students which is why we are using social media to promote the profession.
