About Allied Financial Group

Allied Insurances was established in 1965 to provide life insurance, general insurance, investment and superannuation advice to clients. From humble beginnings the organisation has grown to offer a range of services and advice.

Who is Allied Financial Solutions?

Allied Financial Solutions Pty Ltd (Allied) holds a Financial Services Licence for recommending and placing securities. Allied is also a principal member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Australia Limited.

Allied conducts its business via an advisory network. Each adviser is authorised under Allieds’ dealer’s licence to advise on and recommend securities. Allied is therefore responsible for any advisory services provided by any of its authorised representatives (advisers). Adviser details should be attached to this FSG for your information. If you would like more information on who Allied is, you can write to us at 4a/4 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne 3207 or phone us on 03) 9676 4500.

What does Allied need to know?

In order to provide you with advice that is suitable for you, we need to find out your investment objectives, financial situation and needs.

Of course, you have the right not to divulge this information to us. However, in that case, we are required to warn you about the possible consequences of proceeding on that basis.

What information does Allied maintain on my file and can I examine my file?

We maintain a confidential record of your personal profile which includes details of your investment objectives, financial situation and needs. We also maintain records of any recommendations made to you.

If you wish to examine your file you should ask us, and we will make arrangements for you to do so.

What advisory services are available to me?

Allied concentrates on the financial needs and objectives of clients, whether it is for protecting the family against risks, planning to make the most out of income or investments, or carefully constructing a retirement plan.

We will only recommend an investment to you after considering its suitability for your individual investment needs and objectives and your financial circumstances.

In certain circumstances where limited advice has been requested, we can execute securities transactions on your behalf.

You may specify how you would like to give us instructions, for example by telephone, fax or other means.

Allied consults and advises individuals, companies and trusts on a range of financial and retirement objectives.

Our services include:

  • Securities advice
  • Retirement and redundancy planning
  • Investment evaluation, monitoring and reporting
  • Superannuation advice
  • Savings and budgeting advice
  • DSS Pension and Allowance maximisation
  • Margin lending/gearing
  • Taxation planning
  • Buying or selling shares through our arrangements with a member firm of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)
  • Life Risk planning

What about risks?

We will explain to you any significant risks of investments and strategies we recommend to you. It is important that you appreciate the risks associated with your investments. If we do not explain, or you do not understand these risks, please ask and we will explain them to you.

How do I pay for the services?

Allied offers a number of ways by which you may pay for services offered via its authorised representatives. The options available are:

  • Fee for service only - Fees are charged according to the work provided by your adviser and may be charged on an hourly basis or as a flat fee. You may incur a fee for the placement of your initial investment and associated advice, as well as an ongoing fee for the provision of ongoing advice. If you are charged a fee for service only, all brokerage (upfront and ongoing) will be rebated back to you.
  • Brokerage/commissions only - Your adviser may be remunerated for the service provided by charging brokerage or commission only. Brokerage will be deducted from your initial investment by the investment manager and paid to your adviser via Allied. Ongoing brokerage may also be paid to your adviser. In that case, it will be deducted from your investment by the investment manager and remitted to your adviser via Allied.
  • A combination of fee for service and brokerage/commission - Your adviser may charge a combination of the above by charging an ongoing fee for service as well as retain any ongoing brokerage paid from the investment manager.

The method of charging for the services provided after discussions with your adviser will be disclosed to you in writing.

How much fee/brokerage does Allied receive?

Whether your adviser charges an hourly rate or a flat fee will depend on the services provided and will be negotiable by your adviser. Fees payable will be charged directly to you by your adviser. Brokerage paid by investment managers does vary. Brokerage on placement of investment is in a range up to 5%. Ongoing brokerage may vary up to 1% per annum of funds invested.

Brokerage is paid from your initial investment to Allied by the investment manager.

Do I get detailed information about the benefits my adviser receives from the recommendations?

Yes. You have the right to know about details of brokerage and other benefits for recommended investments. We provide this information to you when we make specific recommendations.

Who can I complain to if I have a complaint about the advisory service?

If you have a complaint about the service provided to you, you should take the following steps:
  1. Contact your adviser and tell your adviser about your complaint.
  2. If your complaint is not satisfactorily resolved within three working days, you should contact Allieds’ Internal Enquiries and Complaints Officer on 03) 9823 0380 or put your complaint in writing and send it to 465 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, 3122. We will try to resolve your complaint quickly and fairly.
  3. If you still do not get a satisfactory outcome, you have the right to complain to the Financial Industry Complaints Services (FICS). You can contact the FICS at Level 12, 379 Collins Street, Melbourne or telephone 1800 670 040. We are a member of this scheme.
  4. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) also has a FREECALL Info line on 1300 300 630 which you may use to lodge a complaint and obtain information about your rights.

More information

Should you require more information, please contact your financial adviser, or contact Allied Directly on 03) 9676 4500.