The Power of Choice

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As an independent IFA, the idea of running your own business and everything that comes with it, may be a daunting prospect. Here, how joining a trusted and established brokerage can help you unleash your potential.

In the dynamic world of financial advising, the power of choice is a game-changer. As an independent financial adviser (IFA), aligning with a brokerage that offers flexibility, independence and a supportive working culture can turbocharge your career. With a trusted brand, multiple provider contracts, and category licensing, a good brokerage can empower IFAs to grow their business by attracting new clients, leveraging existing relationships and providing exceptional service to their clients.

Independence with choice

A good brokerage offers IFAs the ability to operate as an independent intermediary, giving you the freedom to run your own practice within the security of a larger company structure. Case in point: With access to over 100 providers across all licence categories, GrowthHouse IFAs can offer all-inclusive financial planning to their clients, ensuring the best solutions tailored to their needs.

Turning analytics into opportunities

In the era of data-driven decision-making, it’s important that IFAs are equipped with powerful analytics tools and access to several providers. This ensures a higher conversion rate for opportunities and maximises your book. Our specialist desks provide tailored support to identify these opportunities and support the advice process, especially for advisers venturing into new lines of business.

Freedom with support

Joining a brokerage gives you the freedom to run your own business, while enjoying the security that comes with being part of a bigger company structure. This means you can enjoy the benefits of multiple contracts, various product options and a strong chassis of support. To ensure efficient practice operation, you get access to services like compliance and risk management, a payroll system, a customised commission tracking system, and tailored learning and training solutions. At GrowthHouse we also promote your personal brand within our national brand through co-branding opportunities and marketing toolkits

Empowerment for growth

IFAs should be empowered by their brokerage to reach new heights in their careers. GrowthHouse’s specialist desk lets you explore new product lines and leverage our wealth of experience to maximise your earning potential. Even if you’re not accredited to sell a product line, they will handle it all, while you still earn. Cultivate your client base and start building your empire with our unwavering support.

Planning for success

Being part of a brokerage gives you access to succession planning services to ensure the sustainability of your business  and helping you secure your financial future. You’ll receive help in developing an exit strategy, providing well-thought-out succession plans and guidance on enhancing the value of succession.

Seamless transition

From the moment you join, you’ll experience the benefits that come with being part of a bigger organisation – including a streamlined process for transferring your book of business, a dedicated admin hub, legal advice, specialist desks for each product line, and an attractive referral programme and fee structure. Comprehensive onboarding, full administrative support, dedicated provider support, business consultant introductions, and pricing advantages are among the perks you’ll enjoy.

Running your own FSP is a daunting prospect. Joining a brokerage mitigates the risks associated with starting your own business and equips you with the support you need so that you can provide sound advice, and focus on fostering long-term relationships and creating wealth for your clients.

Subscriber Terms and Conditions

  1. APPLICATION OF TERMS
    • These terms and conditions (“Subscriber Terms”) apply to the subscription by any qualifying member of the South African Underwriting Managers Association NPC (“SAUMA”) to the services and benefits offered by FIA Services (Pty) Ltd (“FIA Services”) under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement (“Subscription”).

  2. NATURE OF SUBSCRIPTION
    • A Subscription under this arrangement:
      • does not constitute membership of FIA NPC;
      • does not confer any voting rights or governance participation in FIA NPC; and
      • is governed solely by the contractual relationship between the Subscriber and FIA Services.

  1. ELIGIBILITY
    • To qualify for the Subscription, the applicant must, at the time of application, be a current paid-up member of SAUMA.
    • FIA Services will verify the applicant’s SAUMA membership status with SAUMA prior to activation, and may re-verify such status periodically.
    • If a Subscriber ceases to be a paid-up member of SAUMA, the Subscription will correspondingly be terminated.
    • Applicants are required to authorise FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA as part of the application process.

  1. SERVICES
    • The Subscription entitles the Subscriber to the following benefits:
      • Complimentary access to the FIA CPD Platform;
      • Complimentary access to the FIA Insight Magazine (digital edition);
      • Advertising opportunities on FIA platforms at a discounted rate of 15% (fifteen percent) off the prevailing published rates; and
      • Invitations to attend FIA Technical Webinars annually.
    • FIA Services reserves the right to update, vary or substitute the Services from time to time, provided that the overall value and nature of the benefits remain materially the same.

  1. FEES AND PAYMENT
    • The monthly subscription fee is R260.00 (two hundred and sixty rand) for up to seven registered individuals (Key Individuals and Representatives), and R36.00 (thirty-six rand) per additional registered individual thereafter, excluding VAT.
    • The Subscriber shall provide FIA Services with the required details of each individual to be registered under the Subscription for the purposes of activation and billing.
    • All fees are exclusive of VAT, which shall be charged at the prevailing statutory rate.
    • Subscription fees are reviewed annually in March and may be adjusted with effect from 1 April.
    • Any changes to the Subscription, including but not limited to the number of Representatives and Key Individuals registered under the Subscription, may only be effected once annually during the annual review period in March of each year, with such changes taking effect from 1 April.
    • Subscription fees shall be billed monthly in arrears, unless the Subscriber elects an annual billing cycle at the time of application.
    • The Subscriber shall ensure that all billing information (including contact details, authorised signatories and bank account details) is kept accurate and up to date.
    • Non-payment of subscription fees may result in suspension of access to the Services until such fees are brought up to date.
    • The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that all subscription fees payable under these Subscriber Terms may be collected by way of debit order, which shall be processed by the holding company, FIA NPC (The Financial Intermediary Association of South Africa), on behalf of FIA Services. Payment to FIA NPC shall be deemed to constitute valid and sufficient discharge of the Subscriber’s payment obligations to FIA Services under these Subscriber Terms.

  1. ONBOARDING
    • Onboarding will be conducted as a Subscription with FIA Services under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement.
    • Onboarding will not confer FIA NPC membership status or any associated rights.
    • Onboarding is conditional on confirmation of the Subscriber’s current SAUMA membership at the time of application

  1. DATA PROTECTION
    • FIA Services will process all personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) as set out in our POPIA policies.
    • By subscribing, the Subscriber authorises FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA and to process personal information for the purposes of fulfilling the Subscription.

  1. TERMINATION
    • The Subscriber may terminate the Subscription by giving FIA Services one calendar month’s written notice.
    • FIA Services may terminate the Subscription on one calendar month’s written notice, or immediately if the Subscriber breaches these Subscriber Terms and fails to remedy such breach within 14 (fourteen) days of receiving written notice.
    • Termination of the SAUMA–FIA Services affiliation agreement shall not automatically terminate these Subscriber Terms.
    • Termination by the Subscriber shall not relieve the Subscriber of liability for any subscription fees accrued up to the effective date of termination.
    • FIA Services may suspend or terminate the Subscription with immediate effect in the event of non-payment of fees by the Subscriber.

  1. GENERAL
    • These Subscriber Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
    • Any disputes arising under these Subscriber Terms shall be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions contained in the FIA NPC membership terms and conditions, as modified to reflect that the contractual relationship is with FIA Services.
    • Any notices required under these Subscriber Terms may be validly delivered by email to the addresses provided in the Subscriber’s application form, and such notices shall be deemed received on the day of transmission if sent during business hours.
    • The Subscriber may not assign, cede or transfer any of its rights or obligations under these Subscriber Terms without the prior written consent of FIA Services.
    • No variation of these Subscriber Terms shall be of any force or effect unless reduced to writing and signed by both FIA Services and the Subscriber.