Financial Planners And Financial Advisors Buyer Beware?

[david96]

Expat Thaivisa members may use financial planners and advisors but what is their opinion of them? Most seem to be involved in "legal scams" tax evasion ,tax

"minimisation" and promoting financial "products" which earn them on-going commissions.

You ask a simple question to say your bank and they reply"have you seen a financial advisor?

They have a poor reputation in Australia.

IMHO.

[backflip]

I've used 2 institutional investment advisors. IMHO, Fidelity provided advice which afforded them the best return on my investments. On the other hand, Schwab's advice has allowed me to retire a decade before my contemporaries.

[naka]

Show me an Independent Financial Advisor who will advise you to

buy a Tracker Fund.

Naka.

[DarwinK]

Not sure about an IFA, but here's a fee only advisor that recommends index funds:

http://www.thestreet.com/funds/fundjunkie/1169301.html

[smilingjim]

Expat Thaivisa members may use financial planners and advisors but what is their opinion of them? Most seem to be involved in "legal scams" tax evasion ,tax

"minimisation" and promoting financial "products" which earn them on-going commissions.

You ask a simple question to say your bank and they reply"have you seen a financial advisor?

They have a poor reputation in Australia.

IMHO.

As in all professions there are good ones and bad ones. Thailand is a non-regulated market and there are a lot of cowboys out there who only care about their commission. There are however some who provide a complete service based on the clients needs. They all earn their living from commission.

The problem is if you want to invest off-shore to minimise your tax liability and maximise your return through someone like Skandia, Friends provident etc. you HAVE to use an adviser approved by them. So...shop around and try and get a personal recommendation from one of your friends/colleagues who has been happy with the service provided.

Please note tax evasion is illegal and is not something that would be promoted by any decent IFA. Tax avoidance (making full use of your expat status), on the other hand, is totally legal.