Ultima in a nutshell
2008 - what a year it has been! We saw what is arguably the most volatile market condition experienced by investors during the past 50 years. Please carefully read the insert accompanying the latest InContext report. This insert was written by Andrew Bradley, CEO of acsis.
Two myths about the financial services arena exist among the larger public. The first one is that people’s randomly chosen pension benefits will be sufficient provision for their retirement, and the second one is the perception that financial advisors are only interested in hard selling.
The first myth is dispelled by statistical facts showing that more than 90% of people relying only on their employer benefits when reaching retirement have insufficient provision. At Ultima, we also want to change the perception about financial advisors through healthy client relationships and by focussing on clients’ real, long-term needs and goals using a tested, robust advice and decision making process.
We are able to assist clients by forming strategic alliances with world-class companies at the forefront of innovation and technology and by doing research on financial markets, economies and investment. Our planners are well-skilled and diligent when it comes to assisting clients in making well-informed decisions and implementing them cost-effectively. Our aim is giving you lifelong peace of mind!
We would like to use this opportunity to reflect on your relationship with Ultima within the broader financial planning community. Although our founding members have been practicing for much longer, Ultima was formed in 2000. The aim was to be a unique, independent financial planning service provider that helps clients to achieve their financial goals and commitments reliably over the agreed time period. As the investment environment grew more and more complex, we identified the need for a partner who would research local and international investment markets and who would provide us with feedback on the most appropriate Fund Managers with regard to achieving the desired outcome for our clients. After research done in 1999, we decided to appoint the independent financial planning company, acsis, as our research and implementation strategic partner. Although we have this partnership with acsis, we remain independent as we do not hold shares in acsis nor do they hold shares in our company.
It is important to note that we regularly evaluate the service acsis provides us in order to make sure it’s the most appropriate and cost-effective. Since their appearance in 1999, many local companies have tried to emulate what they offer and we evaluate these offerings on an ongoing basis. To date we have not found any one company that can match their local and international research capability or their robust framework and processes in putting together the various asset allocation models when targeting a specific return.
The other area in which we believe it necessary to give clients peace of mind is the safety of their money. Every day some or other new scam hits the headlines, robbing people and more often than not, pensioners, of their hard-earned capital. Although it’s hard for most people to identify a scam, we believe that our clients’ money is safe only by using the safest vehicles, namely Collective Investments, Endowment and Pension Structures. None of our clients’ money is ever invested in our company or reflected on our balance sheet, but the money is held by independent custodians such as Standard Bank Nominees. As a result we can confidently state that your money is safe with us.
The continuity of Ultima as a business could also be a concerning factor. What happens to your money if one of the principals dies? Again, in terms of the FAIS Act both principals are also Key Individuals duly approved and registered with the FSB. That means that should one of the Key Individuals die, the business can continue because all the legislative conditions have been satisfied. In January we aim to have five qualified financial planners on board. The presence of this professional team looking after our clients’ every need should provide sufficient peace of mind.
We want to thank you for your ongoing support during the past year despite volatile and trying times. We also want to thank Ultima’s staff for their continued commitment and support of you, our valued client. Without our excellent team it is impossible to offer sustainable service.