When investing, focus is typically placed on the particular security and the associated risk and return, but equally as important is what is the total client experience beyond the investment? Here, we outline the many other unseen benefits that are afforded to clients of FIIG.
Highlighted below are a number of functions or services that FIIG clients receive as a standard part of their ongoing relationship with us:
1. Client Services
Our Client Services team offers a seamless experience during the account opening process and throughout the client’s investment journey. When opening an account (which can be completed via our 5 minute online application process), our Client Services team can guide clients through the process and answer any questions. The team make sure that all documentation is in order so that accounts are opened quickly and efficiently, and clients are ready to start investing.
Once the account is open, the Client Services team work as a support team. They are responsible for making sure account details remain up to date and assist with client queries or requests for information/documentation.
When contacting the Client Services team, clients speak directly with a staff member based in our Brisbane office - that means no long holds or waiting times for calls. No detail is too small, and the team help us put the customer at the centre of everything we do.
2. Dedicated Relationship Manager
From their first contact with FIIG, clients have a dedicated Relationship Manager and are also supported by a team structure including other Relationship Managers and a Junior Associate.
The Relationship Manager’s knowledge and experience helps guide our clients throughout their investment timeframe. Our Relationship Managers constantly review available investment options and existing portfolio holdings so clients can make informed investment decisions.
3. Investment Strategy Group
The FIIG Investment Strategy Group (ISG) is dedicated to provide clients with executable trade ideas based on incorporating fundamental credit analysis with market based pricing and insights.
The ISG team have a focus on trade ideas and strategy, portfolio construction, as well as portfolio risk reviews. These are communicated to clients via our regular publications (including Smart Income and The WIRE), as well as through in-person seminars and online webinars.
With a strong investment background, the ISG team have gained industry credibility. The team regularly appear on Australian and international television and conduct media interviews to share market updates; discuss topical issues, trends and performance in the Australian and global bond markets; and provide views and insights on the outlook for investment markets. The team are also regularly approached for commentary in media articles.
4. First-class Research
The Research team comprises market leading analysts with experience across a wide variety of industry sectors. This service is supplemented by a number of third-party credit research services.
As part of the many tools and services that we provide to our investors to help them make decisions about which bonds to buy or sell, each year the Research team produce a detailed Credit and Macro Outlook research report which looks back at the key events of the past year and examines what’s in store for the year ahead.
The annual Outlook series releases publications focusing on various sectors (e.g. the Financial, Property and Commodity sectors) and concludes with the team’s collective views and thoughts on sector performance in the upcoming year. This extensive report is delivered to our clients in digestible PDFs and presented via seminars and webinars.
Before we make any bond available to clients, it goes through a rigorous process by our Research and Legal teams. The teams work throughout the typical lifecycle of the bond conducting comprehensive reviews, credit analysis and assessments. Documentation is prepared and the Research team monitors the performance of the company, providing relevant updates directly to bond holders.
5. Extensive educational resources
FIIG clients are kept in regular contact, not only through their Relationship Manager but also via regular email updates.
Our weekly Smart Income and fortnightly WIRE email newsletters (provided by the Investment Strategy Group and Research teams) include current and relevant information on the markets such as: the trading wrap; a video on the recent market developments; the top traded bonds by FIIG clients; key indicators; trade suggestions; credit updates; the Company Tracker which looks at near term prospects of a growing number of companies.
We also offer a 2-part seminar series, introducing investors to the fixed income asset class and following on from that showing how we address the various risks that apply when constructing bond portfolios.
FIIG has prided itself in the 26 years we have been in business on lifting the awareness of the fixed income asset class more broadly across Australian investors.
6. Website and Online portal - MyFIIG
Existing and potential clients have access to a large amount of information, much of which can be found on our website. Our clients also have access to a dedicated online account portal called MyFIIG that provides access to all historical documentation, portfolio summaries and future cashflows, as well as the ability to place orders to trade bonds.
As an example, some of the collateral we publish can be found at the following links:
7. Investing tools
FIIG clients have access to many tools and services helping investors to make decisions about which bonds to buy or sell, such as relative value analysis and commentary at a market or individual bond level.
We publish mid-market prices daily here so that investors have the ability to make a comparison between the prices they are being offered and the indicative market level.
These are just some of the benefits that FIIG clients have access to in addition to the actual bonds and investment opportunities that are available, but no less important in considering the overall service we provide.
If you would like further information on these, or any other of the services we provide, please do not hesitate to get in touch.