Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Adviser change?
There will be no change to your adviser because of Charter Towers merging with the Lifewealth Group. We believe the increased scale that will eventuate from this acquisition will enable us to provide the same level of care and service in to the future.
Will my investments and investment platform change?
The merger will have no impact on your current investments.
How will the increased size affect the personalised service I am receiving?
A key strategic focus for both Lifewealth and Charter Towers is to ensure the level of personal care and service we provide should not be negatively impacted as we grow, and we remain focused on retaining our client relationships and personalised offering. The increased size of our combined team of twenty people, and the internal efficiency gains we expect to achieve, are all intended to underpin our continued personal service and advice.
Will my fees increase?
There are no Charter Towers fee increases because of the merger with Lifewealth Group. We will continue to review the cost of your service package annually as we do today. The same will apply to your tax and accounting.
Will the Charter Towers investment research methodology be different?
There is no change to the investment research methodology that Charter Towers currently employs. We firmly believe that our existing investment methodology is robust and we will continue to monitor in accordance with this method, whilst welcoming the additional market outlook and analysis we will access from the Lifewealth research process and Investment Committee.
Will there be a change of Licensee?
Yes, In accordance with our merger with Lifewealth Pty Ltd which we recently announced, we will be changing Licensee for the purpose of providing financial services to our clients. This will mean that, with effect from 1st June, 2017, we will operate under Lifewealth Pty Ltd, and will cease to be an Authorised Representative of Lonsdale Financial Group Ltd.
From 1st June, 2017 Lifewealth will be responsible for all future advice and activities undertaken in relation to the financial services provided to our clients. The financial services will be provided under the name of Lifewealth Pty Ltd and we shall provide you with a Financial Services Guide setting out details relating to the new licensing arrangements.
Will the merged entity still do my tax returns?
Your tax and accounting will continue to be completed by LifeWealth Group inclusive of McCutcheon Bell clients. LifeWealth Group also specialises in tax accounting and self-managed super funds. There is a team of four qualified accountants and also support staff that you will gain access to due to the merger.
Will I be better off as a result of this merger?
The merger will see both firms combine staff and expertise to provide a more comprehensive service to our clients across financial planning, tax and accounting. The Lifewealth Group will have more advisers providing an increased breadth of service, broader range of skill sets and enable us to continue meeting the demands and challenges of ongoing legislative changes in all areas of investing, retirement, insurance, estate planning, taxation advice and aged care services amongst our other advice offerings.
We are focused on maximising the time our financial advisers and accountants spend with you and we believe adding Charter Towers to the Lifewealth Group will support this goal.
I have access to my investments online with a password, will this change?
There will be no change to passwords or logins because of the merger.
When will all this occur?
The merger itself will take effect on the 1st June, 2017. In the short term, Charter Towers will continue to operate from their office in South Yarra before transitioning in to the Lifewealth William Street office in the coming months.