[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”10″][vc_text_separator title=”Our Disclosures” border=”no”][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”10″ up=”10″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”center” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text text_align=”center”] Defining our areas of advice, and how we handle complaints.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column]<\/span><\/p>\n [vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1485897312457{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#967d89″ thickness=”2″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n\n\n [vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” anchor=”complaints” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Stratus Group of Companies.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Stratus Financial Services Limited have a range of specialist advisers who provide financial advice on behalf of Wealthpoint Limited (FSP678011), which holds a Financial Advice Provider Licence.<\/span><\/p>\n Stratus General Insurance Limited has an adviser who provides financial advice on behalf of Wealthpoint Limited (FSP678011), which holds a Financial Advice Provider Licence. <\/span><\/p>\n The relationships to the organisations are outlined below. The advantage of this structure is we can access a wider range of product providers than Stratus would normally be able to manage and by using differing organisations we have access to specialist providers and products. However it is important you understand it may not be all provider and products available in the market, we access can those the Licensee has deemed represent the widest range within a criteria of scale, specialty and willing to enter a relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n Product providers pay commission or allow us to include fees for business written and retained. Commission is based on premium or regular and lump sum amounts invested. They may include taxes and levies, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n How we ensure your interests are our priority.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n There are a number of factors that can influence advice if they are not successfully mitigated. Conflicts can occur when an adviser or business have a greater vested interest in any particular aspect of that advice over another. In our industry this can be the difference in remuneration paid by providers, funds within a provider, quota, ownership of the business, other services the business offers, relationships with service or product providers. <\/span><\/p>\n At Stratus we try to manage any conflicts of interest as best we can. Defining our areas of advice.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Co-operative Insurance based products <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Investment based products <\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Fees for advice paid directly to Stratus Financial Services Limited <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Adviser Remuneration.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Our Advisers are contracted by their companies. These companies are paid a retainer, by Stratus, for advice services. The retainer is based on the number of days worked, times the daily rate. The rates are the same across specialist adviser roles. Their companies may also receive a profit share if Stratus reaches a threshold. Advisers are expected to take 5 weeks of leave each year including an additional week for continuing professional development, this enables them to maintain and improve their skill, competence and qualifications. Advisers may receive subsidised professional training from financial providers. <\/span><\/p>\n Reliability Statement.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Wealthpoint, Stratus companies or our advisers and directors have NOT been disciplined by a professional or public body for their advice or adjudged bankrupt. <\/span><\/p>\n Duties Information.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Stratus Companies and anyone who give financial advice, have duties under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 relating to the way that we give advice (Code of Conduct). The Financial Markets Authority set out a code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice services. The code requires the following;<\/p>\n Part 1 – Ethical Behaviour, Conduct, and Client Care Part 2 \u2013 Competence, Knowledge and Skill These are the Code of Conduct Standards, more information is available by contacting us or by visiting the Financial Markets Authority website at https:\/\/www.fma.govt.nz <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Privacy Information.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This statement relates to the personal information that you provide now and in the future. The personal information collected will be held by Stratus Financial Services Limited, (SFSL), Stratus General Insurance Limited, (SGIL) and\/or Wealthpoint Limited (WPL) and\/or to identify service and products that may be suitable for your needs. These organisations can access this information to assist you to provide financial services to you, to administer and service any products you have, to identify other services or product available that may be suitable to your needs, to provide quality control and to manage complaints.<\/span><\/p>\n We may disclose your personal information to other relevant product providers within these relationships to enable them to assist us to provide financial services to you. You have the right to ask to see and request correction of any personal information these organisations hold about you. We hold information about you securely. If you transfer to another business or Stratus sells their relationship to another business, we will transfer a copy of that information to the new business or Adviser, if you or they request it.<\/span><\/p>\n How we handle Complaints.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you express dissatisfaction to us we will treat it as a complaint. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n [vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1485897182788{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1485897182788{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17717"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17717"}],"version-history":[{"count":105,"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18170,"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17717\/revisions\/18170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stratusnz.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n1.\tWe are regulated by The Financial Markets Authority<\/a> to adhere to the Financial Markets Conduct Act<\/a> and an Advice Code<\/a>,
\n2.\tWe have specialist advisers in all areas we offer advice,
\n3.\tWe follow an advice process,
\n4.\tWe receive at least 20 hours additional training per year,
\n5.\tWe belong to the relevant professional bodies for our skill sets, which hold us to higher level of conduct, Financial Advice<\/a>,
\n6.\tWe are not subject to any quota from Dealer groups or product providers,
\n7.\tWe are subject to quality assurance processes by dealer groups who ensure a third party endorsement in behaviour,
\n8.\tAdvisers are on retainers and are paid a profit share if the business exceeds a minimum level of profit,
\n9.\tIf clients request, they can have a relationship based on fees only,
\n10.\tLife, Disability and Health illustrations are calculated across the various companies for comparison (unless a client wants to increase an existing policy),
\n11.\tThe Stratus companies are owned by trusts rather than the advisers themselves.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tTreat clients fairly
\n\u2022\tAct with integrity
\n\u2022\tGive financial advice that is suitable
\n\u2022\tEnsure the client understands the financial advice, and
\n\u2022\tProtect client information<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tHave General Competence, Knowledge and Skill
\n\u2022\tHave Particular Competence, Knowledge and Skill for designing an investment plan
\n\u2022\tHave Particular Competence, Knowledge and Skill for product advice
\n\u2022\tKeep Competence, Knowledge and Skill up to date.<\/p>\n
\nIf it is about another provider, such as an insurance provider, we will pass it on for them to work through their complaints process. Each provider will have a slightly different process, we can copy you into our notification if you desire.
\nIf the complaint is about Stratus Financial Services Limited or one of its advisers then you can phone (04 499 6500) or email contact@stratusnz.nz<\/a> and tell the adviser, tell another adviser, tell our staff, ask for the directors or a complaints officer. You can also write to us at Stratus Financial Services Limited, PO Box 10-337, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand. Stratus has allocated a director from the associated company to act as complaints officer for the other company. This way it is unlikely they were involved in giving the advice.
\nWe are also obliged to inform Wealthpoint Limited (WPL) if the services are part of their offering. The complaints process includes;
\nLetting you know how we intend to resolve the complaint, as part of this we may ask for more information about the complaint.
\nWe aim to resolve a complaint within 10 working days of receiving it. If that is not possible we will update you within this time frame by either phone or email.
\nIf your complaint is not resolved with 8 weeks, or you are not satisfied with our proposal, you can contact Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO)
\nIFSO provides a free, independent dispute resolution service that may help investigate or resolve your complaint, if the complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction. You can contact IFSO by emailing them via https:\/\/www.ifso.nz\/make-a-complaint <\/a> or by calling 0800 888 202, you can also write to them at Insurance & Financial Services, Ombudsman Scheme, PO Box 10-845, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand.
\nIf the complaint is about Stratus General Insurance Limited or one of its advisers then you can phone (04 499 6500) or email contact@stratusnz.nz<\/a> and tell the adviser, tell another adviser, tell our staff, ask for the directors or a complaints officer. You can also write to us at Stratus General Insurance Limited, PO Box 10-337, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand. Stratus has allocated a director from the associated company to act as complaints officer for the other company. This way it is unlikely they were involved in giving the advice.<\/p>\n