To ensure you find someone who can truly serve your financial planning needs. Ask yourself the following questions when choosing a financial adviser representative:
1. Does the financial adviser representative have the relevant qualifications?
Has your financial adviser representative declared the scope of his services and checked if he has the necessary professional certification? All financial adviser representatives are required to be certified under the various Capital Markets and Financial Advisory Services Examination modules.
2. Does the financial adviser representative have the relevant experience?
Before you purchase any policy from the financial adviser representative, find out how many years he has been in this profession, and his area of expertise. Make your decision to purchase the policy only when you are aware of and comfortable with his experience and recommendations.
3. Does the financial adviser representative have the relevant licence?
Deal only with advisers licenced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Check if your adviser and his firm are authorised by checking with the MAS Register of Representatives or ask for his RNF Reference Number.
4. Is the firm reputable?
Check the company website and go through the corporate profile. It is in your best interest to be insured with a company that has a good reputation.
5. Is the financial adviser representative comprehensive in his advice to you?
Your adviser should be professional and be able to conduct proper fact finding of your financial health situation and provide regular updates. Don’t be hesitant to ask for full disclosure on exit clauses, surrender charges and even his/her sales commissions. An honest adviser should be able to identify shortfalls in your financial goals and give appropriate advice and solutions.
6. Does the financial adviser representative understand my situation?
Advisers in Singapore generally prepare a financial record and recommendation document that is to be signed before implementing a financial plan or product sale. Read through this document carefully to ensure that the adviser representative has adequately captured your particular financial situation in this document and that the recommendations made tie in with your needs, financial goals and priorities.
