AMP has officially opened its new walk-in financial planning centre in the heart of Parramatta’s business district, with 16 of a maximum 20 possible planners already signed up.
AMP Financial Planning managing director Michael Guggenheimer said there had been substantial interest for the remaining four places and anticipated they would be filled within the next couple of months. Planners were not signed to long-term contracts but rather ongoing deals, and only had to give three months notice before moving on. Planners were encouraged to use skills developed at the centre as they went on to start their own businesses, Guggenheimer said.
The centre had already generated interest from the public both from walk in clients, and email and phone enquiries, he said.
Planners in the centre are able to work independently and develop their own charging system for their clients, and pay what is effectively a rental or tenancy fee to AMP. This gets them not only the use of the premises but all the administration, infrastructure and back office support, enabling them to focus purely on servicing clients “without having to worry about changing light bulbs,” Guggenheimer said.
AMP has conducted a number of seminars and information nights in recruiting planners for the centre.
The camaraderie of being part of a team and the opportunity to learn from more experienced planners would also appeal to up-and-coming planners who joined the centre, he said.
The centre’s prominent street front position would make it easy for potential clients who were considering using a financial planner to walk in and get started. In order to appeal to clients the centre had to look appealing as well as being functional and efficient, and the premises contained the most up-to-date facilities, including smart boards in the four client meeting rooms as well as back office facilities for planners, he said.
The centre would effectively be a one-stop-shop where customers could go to get all levels of financial advice, whether it was rolling over their super or a complex financial plan, Guggenheimer said.
