Vol 10, No 3 - Financial Planning Association of Malaysia

BUSINESS MODEL
July - September 2010
By Dennis Tan
Building on
the Right Platform
The Future of Financial Services
Not too long ago, constructing a
comprehensive, personal financial plan
was not only a difficult, but also tedious
task. The different parts of a complete
financial plan were, more often than not,
offered by a host of product providers.
And these products were typically sold
by tied agents who were legally bound to
represent and protect the interest of their
principal.
In other words, consumers in Malaysia
were not only lacking a ‘one-stop centre’
for their financial planning needs, but
they were also being pushed products
by agents who may not have the clients’
interest foremost on their minds.
The advent of the Capital Market Services
Act 2007 heralded a new beginning for
consumers in Malaysia. The regulatory
changes paved the way for a new breed
of personal finance intermediaries – one
who truly represents the interests of the
client, offers comprehensive financial
planning and is able to advise on an
entire range of investment options. So
the day the average consumers can enjoy
independent, objective and competent
financial advisory services has finally
arrived.
iFAST Capital: Malaysia’s
Integrated Wealth Management
Platform
iFAST Capital started its wealth
management platform business in
2008 with the sole aim of providing a
comprehensive range of investment
products and services that will help
precipitate the growth of advisers in
Malaysia and the region. It is a holder
of a Capital Market Services License
(CMSL) and is licensed by the Securities
Commission to offer unit trusts and
investment advisory services. It is
also registered with the Federation of
Investment Managers Malaysia (FiMM) as
an institutional unit trust adviser (IUTA).
Our Business Model
We offer unit trust platform services
to our clients who comprise mainly of
corporate unit trust advisers (CUTAs) and
IUTAs. For companies who wish to deal
in unit trusts and offer comprehensive
financial planning, we also offer
consultancy services with respect to
CMSL application as well as CUTA and
IUTA registration with FiMM. In addition,
we service the ‘do-it-yourself (DIY)’ retail
investors through our Fundsupermart.
com retail distribution arm which offers
lower sales charges when compared
to investing through sales agents and
banks.
Corporate Unit Trust Advisers (CUTAs)
Institutional Unit Trust Advisers (IUTA)
Fundsupermart.com
Adviser-assisted investors
Adviser-assisted investors
Self-directed investors
48 The 4E Journal