Financial Alliance Islamic Wealth Advisory. The Tripartite Framework: Islamic Financial Planning

Transcription

1 Financial Alliance Islamic Wealth Advisory The Tripartite Framework: Islamic Financial Planning

2 Important Notice This presentation is for educational purpose only and not an offer to buy any product or service mentioned. Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the facts and figures in this presentation but maybe subject to errors & omissions. All materials in this presentation belong to FA Islamic Wealth Advisory (FAiWA). No distribution or use without prior approval. For more on FAiWA, visit For further enquiries, Copyright reserved Financial Alliance Pte Ltd

3 Background Financial Alliance, largest independent financial advisory firm in Singapore. Since In 2012, FA Islamic Wealth Advisory (FAIWA), as onestop centre where Muslims can do their financial planning Islamically. Today, FAIWA remains the only entity to provide a comprehensive one-stop solution for IFP & is the leader in Islamic financial advisory in Singapore. In 2014, opened a branch in KL, FA Advisory. Transfer of some of relevant capabilities over to Malaysia.

4 The Tripartite Framework in Islamic Financial Planning Islamic Products & Services Key Focus in IFP The Muslim Consumer The Islamic Advisor Often taken for granted that they know Processes & Approach need to be different

5 Islamic Product & Services A need for more width & depth. Eg unit trusts In Singapore, we advice on portfolios, not single unit trusts. Can better manage risk, diversification etc There are 4 Syariah Compliant unit trusts (global equities, Asian equities, global sukuk & gold miners.

6 In Malaysia, there is also a need for more width & depth. Otherwise inability to fully harness the benefits of portfolio diversification & risk management.

7 Widening capabilities to advising on other investments e.g. stocks vs traditional unit trusts. In Singapore, building capability to advice on stocks. The ability to screen stocks via IdealRatings.

8 IFP must move into providing value added services. In Singapore, FAIWA is officially appointed as an amil by MUIS.

9 Move towards not just adding value but creating value In line with needs-based vs product-based approach Making money is just a means to an objective Donate to orphanage RM50,000 Hajj/Umrah RM50,000 Retire with RM 1 million retirement & RM 500k wakaf fund Time

10 The Muslim Consumer Not a natural market but one which needs to be nurtured. Many have found out the hard way that merely having a syariah compliant product is not sufficient. There is a need to create the market via consumer education.

11 Muslim consumers actions are governed & they are not free to do whatever they wish unlike non-muslims. Wealth as a trust, responsibility, challenge to faith, a means to an end etc.

12 Eg. Are Islamic products really inferior to conventional products? You could make a case Not an apple-to-apple comparison. Furthermore, as Muslims, do we want the additional gains that come from haram sectors? Excluded sectors Banks, Diversified Financials, Insurance Aerospace & Defense Casinos & Gaming Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines Restaurants, Broadcasting Cable & Satellite; Movies & entertainment Brewers, Distillers & Vintners; Tobacco

13 The Processes/Approach A critical but often overlooked aspect. Refers to how we, the advisor, do things. IFP is different in many respects to conventional FP & that should also be reflected in the processes/approach of a Islamic FP advisor. It reflects on credibility & integrity when one calls his or herself an Islamic Financial Planner/Advisor. Some examples: There was a time we turned away customers CPF No such thing as good vs bad debts Faraid vs Estate Planning (home, insurance & CPF)

14 Strictly never dwell on matters which we have no or limited knowledge on. We are the only financial advisory firm in Singapore to have a syariah advisor: Dr Akram Laidin. There was a need for credibility. A complex environment with too many opinions & with majority non-muslim consultants. Challenges include no takaful life available. Processes also need to be Islamic eg corporate Islamic bank accounts, fact find documents (zakat, wakaf, estate planning), the selling process (eg insufficient cashflow, needs-based).

15 In Summary To be really successful, IFP has to involve a tripartite of entities: products/services, the consumers & the advisors. Otherwise, there is a risk IFP becomes somewhat hollow & we will miss the real true essence & objective of IFP. In fact, conventional FP is already gyrating towards the principles of IFP eg consumers who are ethically driven; a strong process driven culture. In my opinion IFP has a bright future is we can work towards improving all three aspects mentioned.

16 Thank you