Financial Advice Provider Disclosure, Disclaimer and Privacy Policy - Finance Matters

“FINANCIAL ADVICE PROVIDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT“

1. Licence Status:

Finance Matters NZ Limited T/A Finance Matters is an Authorised Body under the Financial Advice Provider licence of NZ Financial Services Group (NZFSG), to provide financial advice services and Finance Matters conducts business through it’s financial advisers. General information is also provided to customers through our social media accounts, newsletters, advertisements and other digital publications.

2. Duties under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advisers:

We have duties under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advisers (The Code) relating to the way we give advice. We are required to:

– Meet the code standards requiring us to treat our clients fairly, act with integrity, give financial advice that is suitable, ensure that our clients understand the financial advice we provide and protect any financial information we hold about our clients.

– have competence, knowledge and skill to provide financial product advice to our clients

– give priority to our client’s interests by taking all reasonable steps to make sure our advice is not materially influenced by our own interests.

3. Nature and Scope of Advice:

We help our clients with their mortgage and personal risk insurance related advice and product selection. Our services include arranging products and services through the product providers as follows:

– In case of mortgages, arranging home loans including First Home Loan, Investment Property Loan, Refinancing a Mortgage, Construction Loans, Mortgage Restructuring, Mortgage Re-fixing, Business Loans, Commercial Loans, Business Loans, Debt Consolidation, and Personal Loans.

We are approved by a number of product providers such as ANZ Bank, ASB Bank, BNZ Bank, Westpac Bank, SBS Bank, The Co-operative Bank, NZCU, Heartland Bank, Sovereign Home Loans, Select Home Loans, Liberty Financial, Pepper Money, First Mortgage Trust, Southern Cross Finance, Bluestone, Resimac, Avanti Finance, ASAP Finance, Cressida and DBR. The list of product providers is inclusive and keeps changing from time to time.

– In case of personal risk insurance covers, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Cancer Cover, Specific Illness Insurance, Total and Permanent Disability Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, Mortgage Repayment Insurance, Redundancy Insurance, Health Insurance, Rent & Income Insurance and Insurance Covers for Business Clients.

We are approved by a number of product providers such as AIA, Asteron Life, Cigna Life, Fidelity Life, Partners Life, Nib and Southern Cross. The list of product providers is inclusive and keeps changing from time to time.

In addition to the mortgage and insurance products, we also have referral tie-up through NZFSG as under:

Tower for Fire & General Insurance Products

Asset Finance for Car Loan Products

XE Money for Money Transfer Product

4. Commission and Fees for our Services

We are generally paid upfront commission by the product providers hence we tend not to charge our clients any upfront fee for our services unless we don’t get paid by the product provider. The upfront commission is generally a fixed proportion of the mortgage amount or insurance premium placed with that product provider. All commissions paid to us by the product provider are before our operational costs and promotional offers to our clients. If we don’t get paid a commission by a product provider, we will discuss and mutually agree the level of our fee or charges upfront before the products or services are made available to our clients so that they are aware of their obligation to pay the fee or charges once the agreed products or service are made available.

However, the commission we get paid by the product providers; has certain criteria such as if a client pays-off a mortgage within a certain period of time (generally between 24-28 months) or cancels a policy within a certain period of time (generally 24 months) after it was arranged by us, they may charge us back full or partial upfront commission paid to us. In such cases, we can charge our clients which is discussed in detail with our clients at the time they decide to go ahead with us for arranging a mortgage or an insurance cover.

We may also be paid a renewal, service or a trail commission by the product provider which can be a fixed percentage of the mortgage amount and insurance premium or can be a fixed amount as decided by the product provider for ongoing management of that business.

In addition to the above, the product providers may also give us some soft dollar incentives e.g. sponsoring a rugby or cricket match ticket etc. from time to time based on their decision to promote their business.

Detailed information on the product provider commission and our fees is also available free of cost upon request.

5. Conflict of Interest:

As independent advisers there may be incentives for us to recommend some products over other (possibly more suitable) products. This potential conflict of interest can apply in respect of mortgage as well as personal risk insurance products where commissions or additional benefits payable in respect of a product is more than other available products, We identify potential conflicts of interest when providing advice and services by utilizing the internationally recognised Advice Process to assess a client’s needs and determine suitability of the products. We mitigate or eliminate any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the following ways:

– We not face any prescribed quotas or similar arrangements that require a minimum proportion of sales be placed with a particular provider.

– We are required to follow an advice process whereby client needs, and objectives are identified and product recommendations are made on the basis of those needs.

– We must disclose and explain any perceived or potential conflicts of interest to each client when completing the advice process with that client.

– Our advice process requires us to ascertain the best product fit for a client regardless of remuneration.

– Using ratings from independent research houses to guide us in our decisions and out of all products we can advise on, using only the top-rated products regardless of commission levels.

– Being transparent in our dealings with the product providers.

– Providing and discussing full disclosure requirements before client engagement.

– Having a formal agenda at the outset of a client engagement, ensuring the client also receives and understands general terms of engagement, scope of services, Privacy Act consent, engages in a discussion of the obligations of the full advice process, and a fee agreement (if any).

– Disclosing any preferential relationships that might present a conflict of interest to each individual client engagement when identified, and ensuring engagement does not proceed without client acknowledgement and consent.

6. Complaint Resolution:

At Finance Matters, we are committed to providing you with a great service and do what is right for you. If our service doesn’t meet your expectations, we want to know. Please direct all inquiries to Finance Matters through one of the following means:

Finance Matters

45 Carr Road,
Three Kings, Auckland 1042

e-mail us at team@financematters.co.nz

When we receive a complaint, we follow our internal complaints resolution process as under:

– In most of the cases, we are able to resolve your issue or complaint on the spot. If this is not possible, we will contact you either by eamil or by making a phone call to acknowledge your complaint (usually within 2 working days of receiving your complaint), unless that is not practicable in the circumstances and let you know how long we expect it to take to provide you an answer. We may need to contact you to get further information about your complaint before we are able to resolve it.

– We will aim to resolve your complaint within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If we cannot, we will contact you either by email or by making a phone call to let you know that we need more time to be able to consider and resolve your complaint.

if we cannot resolve your complaint or if you are not satisfied with the steps we take to resolve your complaint or with the resolution we provide to your complaint, you can seek assistance from an independent external dispute resolution service provider. Finance Matters is a member of Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL). Their services will cost you nothing, and they will help us resolve your complaint to your satisfaction. Their contact details are as under:

Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL)

PO Box 5967, Lambton Quay, Wellington 6140

Email: complaints@fscl.org.nz

Phone: 0800 347 257 or +64 4 472 3725

7. Our Contact Details:

Finance Matters

45 Carr Rd, Three Kings, Auckland – 1042

Free phone 0800 700 600

Email: team@financematters.co.nz

“DISCLAIMER POLICY“

In using this website, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set out below. If you do not accept these terms and conditions you must not access or use this website.

1. Definitions

The following words have certain definition as follows:

“Content” means any information, data, text, software, music, sound, photographs, graphics, video, messages or any other material available on this website.

“You/your” means you, the user of this website.

“We/us/our” means Finance Matters who provides this website or any of its adviser/representative.

2. Third-Party Website

You agree that we will not be held responsible for any third-party websites or content which you may access in the course of using this website. Any links to any other website are provided for the sole purpose of your convenience only and do not represent any endorsement by Finance Matters of products or services offered by any third-party website owner. This includes any reliance upon or offense taken/caused by content, advertising, products or services accessed.

3. Website Content

Any content available on this website is for informational and reference purposes only. We accept no liability or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, integrity or quality of the content. The content on this website should not be treated as a recommendation/opinion/guidance/advice to any specific financial product. You must seek independent and specialist legal/accounting/financial advice before making any decision to suit your own circumstances. You are solely responsible for the content of your postings and any consequences of any such postings.

4. Site Operator Liability and Indemnity

We shall not be liable for any damages, including without limitation, indirect or consequential damages, whatsoever arising out of your use of this website or in respect of any of your actions or omissions taken in reliance on any information contained on this website or any website to which this website is linked.

5. Modifications to Website

We reserve the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the website (or any part thereof) with or without notice. You agree that we shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the website.

6. Amendments to these Terms and Conditions

We reserve the right, at any time, to modify, amend or update these terms and conditions without notice.

7. Additional Information

Professional Indemnity Insurance

We have $2 million of PI cover (maximum cover of $500,000 per claim). In proven cases, this protects you from financial loss due to fraud, gross negligence, gross misrepresentation, etc. (if perpetrated by us). This policy is held with NZI.

“PRIVACY POLICY“

1. Our commitment to protect your privacy

We understand how important it is to protect your personal information. This document sets out our privacy commitment in respect of personal information we hold about you and what we do with that information.

It is important to us that you are confident that any personal information we hold about you will be treated in a way which ensures protection of your personal information.

Our commitment in respect of personal information is to abide by the Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1993 (or any successor legislation) (the Privacy Act) and all other applicable laws. This Privacy Policy applies in addition to, and does not limit, our rights and obligations under the Privacy Act and other applicable laws.

2. Who are we

References in this Privacy Policy to “we”, “us” and “our” means

Finance Matters NZ Limited T/a Finance Matters

acting through a Financial Adviser.

3. Your authorisation

By providing us with personal information, engaging us to provide you with services, or by using our website, you consent to the collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

4. Changes to our Privacy Policy

We may change our Privacy Policy from time to time, by publishing an updated version on this page, to reflect changes in the law and also our business needs so long as the changes do not disadvantage you. By continuing to engage us or use our website you will be deemed to have accepted the updated Privacy Policy.

5. What personal information do we collect?

When we refer to personal information, we mean information that identifies, or is capable of identifying, you. This includes, for example, your name, date of birth, address, contact details, account details and occupation.

If you engage us to provide services to you, we may collect personal information about your financial situation or goals in order to recommend mortgage and insurance products that we are permitted to advise on mortgages and personal risk insurances.

6. Why do we collect your personal information?

We collect your personal information for the purposes of our and relevant third parties’ services and relationship with you (refer to section 9 below: “Who do we disclose your personal information to?”). For example:

responding to your requests or inquiries;
providing services to you (e.g. to enable us to recommend products to you);
sending communications and direct marketing to you about products and services we think may be of interest to you (whether through mail, telephone or electronic means (including email and SMS/MMS);
market research; and
any other purpose authorised by you or the Privacy Act.

If you do not wish to receive marketing information, you may ‘opt out’ at any time by notifying us.

We may also collect personal information (including credit information and health information) on behalf of the lenders, insurers and other providers of Products that you choose to apply for (Product Providers). Product Providers will have their own Privacy Policy that applies to the information that we collect on their behalf.

7. How do we collect your personal information?

Generally we will collect your personal information directly from you. For example, we collect your personal information directly from your use of our website and the information that you submit to the website. We also collect your personal information if you use the “contact us” functionality on our website and you provide the personal information during conversations between you and us.

We may also collect your personal information from:

NZ Financial Services Group Limited (NZFSG) and its related bodies corporate;
credit reporting agencies;
with your authorisation, banks (e.g. through the use of illion Bank Statements) and employers;
Product Providers (e.g. during the term of any loan or insurance we have arranged on your behalf, in order to answer your queries or assist you with your financial arrangements as your circumstances change). If applicable, the Product Providers may also periodically disclose your loan balance or premium to us in connection with the payment of ongoing commission to us over the term of your loan or insurance; and
any other person authorised by you or the Privacy Act.

If you provide any personal information about anyone else to us, you confirm that you have collected that personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act and that the individual concerned has:

authorised the disclosure to us and the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information by us in accordance with this Privacy Policy; and
has been informed of their right to access and request correction of their personal information.

8. Updating your personal information

We will generally rely on you to ensure the information we hold about you is accurate. If any of your details change, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting us.

9. Who do we disclose your personal information to?

We may disclose your personal information to the following people if we consider it necessary to do so for the purposes described in section 6 above:

NZFSG and its related bodies corporate;
Product Providers and other prospective lenders, third parties or other intermediaries in relation to your finance or insurance requirements (including a prospective lender’s mortgage insurer (if any), any person with whom a lender or insurer proposes to enter into contractual arrangements, any person who provides a guarantee or security and any trustee and any assignee or potential assignee of a lender’s or insurer’s rights);
our referral partners who can help you with other services;
contractors or service providers;
investors, or any entity that has an interest in our business or any entity to whom we consider assigning or transferring any of our rights or obligations or selling all or part of our business;
anyone who we are legally required or authorised to share your information with, including regulators and government agencies;
to auditors (such as NZFSG) to ensure we are providing services to you that are in your best interests, and in accordance with current regulations;
your employer and referees, as well as credit reporting and identity verification agencies; and
any other person or entity authorised by you or the Privacy Act.

You acknowledge and agree that credit reporting agencies may hold your credit information (including default information) on their systems and use such information to provide their credit reporting services, which may include providing your credit information (including default information) to their customers.

Prior to disclosing any of your personal information to another person or organisation, we will take all reasonable steps to satisfy ourselves that the person or organisation has a commitment to protecting your personal information at least equal to our commitment.

10. Do we disclose your personal information to anyone outside New Zealand?

We may use cloud storage to store the personal information we hold about you. The cloud storage and the IT servers may be located outside New Zealand.

We may also disclose personal information to NZFSG and its related bodies corporate, and third party suppliers and service providers located overseas for some of the purposes listed above.

11. Our Website

Cookies and IP addresses

When you access our website, we may send a “cookie” (which is a small summary file containing a unique ID number) to your computer. This enables us to recognise your computer each time you visit our website. We also use cookies to measure traffic patterns, to determine which areas of our website have been visited, to measure transaction patterns, to analyse trends, administer the website, track users’ movements and gather broad demographic information. We use this to research our users’ habits so that we can improve our website and our service offering. Our cookies may record information such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address (that is, the electronic addresses of computers connected to the internet), your device and browser type, operating system, the pages or features of our site to which you have browsed and the time spent on those pages or features, the frequency with which the site is used by you, the search terms that you have used, the links on our site that a you have clicked on or used, and other usage statistics.

While our cookies do not collect personal information, if you submit your name and email address as part of your usage, then we will link that personal information with the cookies information that we have previously collected from you.

If you do not wish to receive cookies, you can set your browser so that your computer does not accept them.

Security

As our website is linked to the internet, and the internet is inherently insecure, we cannot provide any assurance regarding the security of transmission of information you communicate to us online. We also cannot guarantee that the information you supply will not be intercepted while being transmitted over the internet. Accordingly, any personal information or other information which you transmit to us online is transmitted at your own risk.

Links and third party advertisements

Our website may contain links to other websites operated by third parties. Our website may also display advertisements, which are hosted by third parties.

We make no representations or warranties in relation to the privacy practices of any third party website or advertisement providers and we are not responsible for other privacy policies or the content of any third party website or advertisements. Third party websites are responsible for informing you about their own privacy practices.

Our online advertising network partner may use cookies, web beacons or other web tracking techniques to collect non-personally identifiable information about your activities on the website and other websites that you may visit to provide you targeted advertising based upon your interests.

12. Are you required to provide personal information to us?

You are not required to provide any personal information to us but if you choose not to it might affect our ability to provide services to you and your ability to obtain finance, insurance and other Products from Product Providers.

In most circumstances it will be necessary for us to identify you in order to successfully do business with you. However, where it is lawful and practicable to do so, we will offer you the opportunity of doing business with us without providing us with personal information, for example, if you make general inquiries about interest rates or current promotional offers.

You may choose to interact with our website anonymously, but we will not be able to contact you unless you provide your personal information.

13. Access and correction to your personal information

You may access and request correction of any of the personal information that we hold about you at any time by contacting us. We may charge a fee for our reasonable costs of retrieving and supplying the information to you.

14. Further information

If you have any questions on our Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on 30 November 2020