Recently I met new clients, they were openly critical of their previous planner not telling them about all the ongoing fees they’ll be charged.

Hearing this sort of feedback, about unscrupulous people still operating in my industry, made me feel physically ill!

As we talked, I realised the biggest hurdle would be to work to rebuild this couple’s hopes and dreams. I’d also have to work on building credibility and a trust relationship at the same time.

I explained I wouldn’t have time to look into their situation until well into the New Year, but in the meantime we could turn off the unnecessary fees the old adviser has been charging. They were happy with this interim measure, telling me ‘we want nothing to do with him anymore, and we don’t want him making money off us either!’

As I left, they thanked me for seeing them on a Saturday and making them feel comfortable again. It just goes to show how much of financial planning is about trust and relationships.

Talk soon, Gayle