Alana Richards
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adapt to a new way of life for now and it’s prompted many to look at the ‘what if’s’ in different scenarios, particularly when it comes to finances.
Combining a comprehensive range of financial services with the care and personalised attention a boutique, family-run business can deliver, Amazon Financial has a lot to offer clients.
Founded as a mortgage broking service in 2002 by Michael Martin, Amazon expanded as Michael added additional services over the years to support his clients with a more holistic advice service on their financial journey. Now run by his sons, Stuart and Cameron, the business still has Michael’s original vision of helping clients in achieving their financial goals going strong.
Stuart Martin says the team at Amazon Financial have customer commitment at their core and value their role in being advisors clients can trust and continue to go to for advice throughout their lives.
“Our job is to help clients understand and achieve their financial goals,” Stuart says.
“We do this by having discussions with clients about what their plans and timeline are and work through any questions or fears they may have.
“Discussing finances is something a lot of people avoid and can feel overwhelmed by and it is our job to help guide clients throughout their life.”
Developing initial plans and strategies for clients is just the start of the ongoing relationship Amazon builds with its clients. An annual meeting to review the initial plans set flags any goals or circumstances that may have changed, along with any relevant legislation changes that may affect short or long-term goals and strategies put in place.
“We look at any changes that may be affecting their plans and adjust strategies accordingly,” Stuart explains.
“Clients may be moving house, changing jobs, starting a family or planning for retirement and our job is to keep things on track by reviewing investments, making changes to insurances and ensuring wills are kept in line with the overall plan.”
Stuart says the experts at Amazon Financial focus on three main areas to create a holistic approach to financial planning; growing wealth, protecting wealth and passing on wealth.
“When working on growing wealth, we explore what kind of investor a client is, do a risk profile, review their current investment portfolio, review superannuation and look at any aspects such as minimising tax and spare cash flow to develop a plan for reaching a goal such as retirement.
“Protecting wealth could be for families who want to ensure their partner or children have enough funds to pay debts such as the mortgage, school fees and cost of living if someone becomes ill or injured and cannot work.
“Passing on wealth looks at wills, powers of attorney, super nominations and how to protect wealth and pass it onto the right people.”
Amazon can also help with superannuation (including self-managed), retirement planning, debt management, aged care, wills and estate planning and mortgage broking services such as home loans, investment loans and business loans.
Whether you’re a young independent, starting a family or a retiree, the right financial advice can make a real difference throughout your life and Amazon Financial can help you identify financial goals and work with you to get there.
Amazon Financial, 300 Heaths Road, Hoppers Crossing. Opens 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Inquiries: 9974 3000 or visit www.amazonfinancial.com.au
