Global Eye / PIC / DeVere / Acuma et al - Zurich Vista UAE
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Excellent thread!
I work in the broad area financial services - have done for 35 years. I have two degrees in financial disciplines and professional qualifications in banking and insurance.
I mention these not to boast but merely to show that industry insiders are also well aware of the appalling value (and advice) given by so-called financial advisers in the Middle East.
Most of these advisers hold no professional qualifications, and even if they do it is rarely more than the equivalent of an A level. They may have been selling double glazing last year, and perhaps time-shares next year - they are salesmen, pure and simple.
They sell insurance policies (disguised as investment products) issued by the likes of Zurich, Generali, Friends Provident, RL360 etc. that are "manufactured" in the Isle of Man or Channel Islands. Interestingly, these products cannot be sold in those jurisdictions (or in the UK generally). This crap is for export only!
An earlier poster said that you shouldn't invest in anything you don't understand - this is wise advice. Remember too that there is nothing wrong with having money in the bank (probably a bank in your home country). An investment property in an area that you know, in a country with a well understood legal system, is also always likely to be sound.
If you want to make plans for retirement, or children's education, or whatever, do by all means get financial advice, but here are my three tips:
1 Use an adviser in your home country. Ask them to show that they are properly authorized/regulated, that they have appropriate (at least degree-level) qualifications, that they are members of an Ombudsman (or complaints-handling) scheme and that they have professional indemnity insurance;
2 Pay them a fee for the advice. Clarify in advance how much the advice will cost and how the cost is calculated. This means you will have to write a personal cheque to them, but it will be cheap in the long-run. Insist that this fee is the only remuneration that they may receive and that they do not accept any commissions (or other soft-dollars e.g. "training" conferences in Las Vegas) from the promoters of the products they recommend; and
3 Watch all other costs like a hawk. Pay particular attention to investment management fees. Pilots are expert at flying planes, not at stock-picking. Pilots should never invest in anything other than passive or index-tracking funds. These kinds of funds are available with investment management fees of 1% per annum (or even less). Stick to these.
I work in the broad area financial services - have done for 35 years. I have two degrees in financial disciplines and professional qualifications in banking and insurance.
I mention these not to boast but merely to show that industry insiders are also well aware of the appalling value (and advice) given by so-called financial advisers in the Middle East.
Most of these advisers hold no professional qualifications, and even if they do it is rarely more than the equivalent of an A level. They may have been selling double glazing last year, and perhaps time-shares next year - they are salesmen, pure and simple.
They sell insurance policies (disguised as investment products) issued by the likes of Zurich, Generali, Friends Provident, RL360 etc. that are "manufactured" in the Isle of Man or Channel Islands. Interestingly, these products cannot be sold in those jurisdictions (or in the UK generally). This crap is for export only!
An earlier poster said that you shouldn't invest in anything you don't understand - this is wise advice. Remember too that there is nothing wrong with having money in the bank (probably a bank in your home country). An investment property in an area that you know, in a country with a well understood legal system, is also always likely to be sound.
If you want to make plans for retirement, or children's education, or whatever, do by all means get financial advice, but here are my three tips:
1 Use an adviser in your home country. Ask them to show that they are properly authorized/regulated, that they have appropriate (at least degree-level) qualifications, that they are members of an Ombudsman (or complaints-handling) scheme and that they have professional indemnity insurance;
2 Pay them a fee for the advice. Clarify in advance how much the advice will cost and how the cost is calculated. This means you will have to write a personal cheque to them, but it will be cheap in the long-run. Insist that this fee is the only remuneration that they may receive and that they do not accept any commissions (or other soft-dollars e.g. "training" conferences in Las Vegas) from the promoters of the products they recommend; and
3 Watch all other costs like a hawk. Pay particular attention to investment management fees. Pilots are expert at flying planes, not at stock-picking. Pilots should never invest in anything other than passive or index-tracking funds. These kinds of funds are available with investment management fees of 1% per annum (or even less). Stick to these.
Last edited by johnjonesnine; 4th Jan 2017 at 06:09. Reason: grammar/spelling
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DeVere Acuma (PIC) are Insurance Brokers only and are NOT registered or authorised by the DIFC or DFSA here in Dubai.
They hold a license with the Insurance Authority in Dubai to sell insurance not financial investments. You can file a complaint with them through their website www.ia.gov.ae
Here is the surrender charge table for Zurich Vista - based on a 20 year plan - 25 year plan is worse. The percentage value is what THEY keep if you stop payments for a period of time or close the policy. They need to charge this because they gave away all your contribution payments made in the first 18 to 30 months to the salesperson who sold you the product!
Year
1 - 100%
2 - 97%
3 - 92%
4 - 87%
5 - 81%
6 - 76%
7 - 70%
8 - 65%
9 - 60%
10 - 54%
11 - 49%
12 - 43%
13 - 38%
14 - 32%
15 - 27%
16 - 22%
17 - 16%
18 - 11%
19 - 6%
20 - 0%
At the end of year 10 they would keep a fee 162,000 USD assuming a 2500 USD pcm policy and no growth (which is to be expected with this product due to high fees). This is very different to the encashment value in the personal illustration which is not a NET figure.
Due to all the high upfront fees and commission the policy will only break even at year 10, assuming you will then pay to maturity.
Remember if you stop or even reduce your payments (left employment or changed jobs) they will continue to making charges as if you're still making the full payments. This will eventually wipe out your account. After a period of no payments, the account will automatically be surrendered and subject to the above fees anyway.
They hold a license with the Insurance Authority in Dubai to sell insurance not financial investments. You can file a complaint with them through their website www.ia.gov.ae
Here is the surrender charge table for Zurich Vista - based on a 20 year plan - 25 year plan is worse. The percentage value is what THEY keep if you stop payments for a period of time or close the policy. They need to charge this because they gave away all your contribution payments made in the first 18 to 30 months to the salesperson who sold you the product!
Year
1 - 100%
2 - 97%
3 - 92%
4 - 87%
5 - 81%
6 - 76%
7 - 70%
8 - 65%
9 - 60%
10 - 54%
11 - 49%
12 - 43%
13 - 38%
14 - 32%
15 - 27%
16 - 22%
17 - 16%
18 - 11%
19 - 6%
20 - 0%
At the end of year 10 they would keep a fee 162,000 USD assuming a 2500 USD pcm policy and no growth (which is to be expected with this product due to high fees). This is very different to the encashment value in the personal illustration which is not a NET figure.
Due to all the high upfront fees and commission the policy will only break even at year 10, assuming you will then pay to maturity.
Remember if you stop or even reduce your payments (left employment or changed jobs) they will continue to making charges as if you're still making the full payments. This will eventually wipe out your account. After a period of no payments, the account will automatically be surrendered and subject to the above fees anyway.
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One further addition to Yorkshire Pudding's post is that these policies are often sold on the basis that you can reduce the monthly contribution at any time. This part is true, but the bit that you are not told (except perhaps in very small print) is that the charges will continue to be calculated on the basis of the original contribution.
So if for example you take out a 20-year plan saving $2000 per month, and subsequently drop down to $1000 per month, the charges will continue to be levied as if you were still saving $2000 per month.
Appalling stuff really.
So if for example you take out a 20-year plan saving $2000 per month, and subsequently drop down to $1000 per month, the charges will continue to be levied as if you were still saving $2000 per month.
Appalling stuff really.
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The problem is they are only Senior Wealth Advisors in Dubai for 12 months or so, collect as much upfront commission as possible and move on to selling something. You have paid him/her for 20 years consultation fees upfront and they leave to sell luxury boats and the like.
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Do also bear in mind that all of these guys have grand titles - at a minimum they are "Senior Wealth Advisers" or Senior Wealth Managers", even though some of them are just straight out of school!
I have never met a "Junior Wealth Manager" or a plain "Wealth Manager".
I have never met a "Junior Wealth Manager" or a plain "Wealth Manager".
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Simple. If I get a random call, about anything, and the first words I hear on answering are along the lines of, "Good morning Mr. Xxxxx, how are you today?".....end of call.
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I think the random calls are something they do when things are quiet, they don't have a high success rate, but if you have nothing better to do, or if you are using lowly paid staff....
Most people who fall in to the spiders web that these guys weave meet them initially in a social situation (e.g. at the golf/rugby club etc.) or through school activities.
Most people who fall in to the spiders web that these guys weave meet them initially in a social situation (e.g. at the golf/rugby club etc.) or through school activities.
Utter scam - I was quite cheesed off to find that my name was given to one of these sharks when I joined Emirates, by a friend! The usual MO is that they sign someone up and then start hassling them for names of friends and colleagues that would also like to avail themselves of the same ripoff services.
Next thing you know some sharp suited DB who can't get a job in a real financial hub is round your place trying to sign you up to Zurich or whatever. I actually fell for it but luckily found a way out and got all my cash back (even plus a little bit of interest..). Luckily I realised what was happening fast - others are not so lucky.
Next thing you know some sharp suited DB who can't get a job in a real financial hub is round your place trying to sign you up to Zurich or whatever. I actually fell for it but luckily found a way out and got all my cash back (even plus a little bit of interest..). Luckily I realised what was happening fast - others are not so lucky.
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I have looked over the website of this guy, Andrew Hallam, who is visiting the Gulf region in the coming days to give a series of seminars, mainly at schools, about investments:
https://andrewhallam.com/2016/12/mil...ebruary-march/
As far as I can tell he is the real deal, i.e. gives good solid advice on how to create a low cost investment portfolio, as opposed to being an insurance salesman.
It looks as if he may have a couple of books for sale, which I imagine you can take or leave.
If your kids attend one of the listed schools, and if you are free, it might be worth attending.
Disclaimer: I don't know and have never met Andrew Hallam.
https://andrewhallam.com/2016/12/mil...ebruary-march/
As far as I can tell he is the real deal, i.e. gives good solid advice on how to create a low cost investment portfolio, as opposed to being an insurance salesman.
It looks as if he may have a couple of books for sale, which I imagine you can take or leave.
If your kids attend one of the listed schools, and if you are free, it might be worth attending.
Disclaimer: I don't know and have never met Andrew Hallam.
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If you do nothing else, buy his book "Global Expatriates Guide to Investing". It has chapters which specify what you should do with your money depending what country you plan to call home.
Follow his precepts (which essentially cut investment costs to the bone) and you will leave the region at least $250,000 wealthier than if you hire a "professional" to sell you things.
Hallam has nothing to sell but books - he is absolutely unexcelled for straight advice.
Follow his precepts (which essentially cut investment costs to the bone) and you will leave the region at least $250,000 wealthier than if you hire a "professional" to sell you things.
Hallam has nothing to sell but books - he is absolutely unexcelled for straight advice.
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The Money Roundtable: Do long-term savings products serve their customers or their sellers? | The National
Analysts claim savers stick with them for just 7.6 years on average, but policyholders receive little back for exiting their plans after five, 10 years or even longer.
It is estimated that barely one in 20 completes the 25-year term. And those who do continue to the end often receive disappointing returns.
"To give you an example, if we have financial products that all in [cost] 4.5 per cent per year – and that is what we are seeing, 4.5 per cent, 5 per cent, sometimes higher – and the adviser is not doing anything silly and building a globally diversified platform, and if markets end up making, let’s say 7 per cent a year, and the investor is losing 4.5 per cent in fees, what do we have left?" said Mr Hallam, who is currently on a speaking tour of the Middle East.
"We have 2.5 per cent. But we have inflation historically, which has run historically 3 to 3.5 per cent per year. So it is my belief that you cannot retire effectively with the platforms that I have seen being sold prolifically throughout the Middle East."
It is estimated that barely one in 20 completes the 25-year term. And those who do continue to the end often receive disappointing returns.
"To give you an example, if we have financial products that all in [cost] 4.5 per cent per year – and that is what we are seeing, 4.5 per cent, 5 per cent, sometimes higher – and the adviser is not doing anything silly and building a globally diversified platform, and if markets end up making, let’s say 7 per cent a year, and the investor is losing 4.5 per cent in fees, what do we have left?" said Mr Hallam, who is currently on a speaking tour of the Middle East.
"We have 2.5 per cent. But we have inflation historically, which has run historically 3 to 3.5 per cent per year. So it is my belief that you cannot retire effectively with the platforms that I have seen being sold prolifically throughout the Middle East."
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Great clip from Boiler Room. This is how your "financial advisers" are trained:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIKzReNDF4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIKzReNDF4
Andrew Hallam
Went to one of his talks.
Brilliant.
just advice.
No sell.
But his book is worth reading.
Should be gift from company on arrival!
Look it up. NOW.
https://www.amazon.com/Global-Expatr...e+to+investing
Brilliant.
just advice.
No sell.
But his book is worth reading.
Should be gift from company on arrival!
Look it up. NOW.
https://www.amazon.com/Global-Expatr...e+to+investing
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Beware indeed.
In Qatar any insurance intermediary (for that is what deVere is) must be regulated either by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.
If you get a call from deVere ask who are they regulated by, and please post the answer you get here.
They may say that they are licenced by some Ministry or other, but that's just the ordinary business licence that any bakery or dry cleaners will have - it will not permit them to sell or advise on insurance policies.
(Same applies to any "financial adviser" that contacts you in Doha.)
In Qatar any insurance intermediary (for that is what deVere is) must be regulated either by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.
If you get a call from deVere ask who are they regulated by, and please post the answer you get here.
They may say that they are licenced by some Ministry or other, but that's just the ordinary business licence that any bakery or dry cleaners will have - it will not permit them to sell or advise on insurance policies.
(Same applies to any "financial adviser" that contacts you in Doha.)
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It has been reported that "The UK Financial Conduct Authority has ordered Holborn Assets Ltd to immediately cease all pension transfer business, particularly that introduced by overseas advisers."
http://www.international-adviser.com...ews_21_03_2017
Holborn Assets is very active in the GCC.
http://www.international-adviser.com...ews_21_03_2017
Holborn Assets is very active in the GCC.