ING Financial Planning provides gateway to a planner career

Leading financial services company ING plans to increase adviser numbers as part of a broad program targeting talented graduates seeking a career in financial planning.

The initiative will begin on August 30, when ING Financial Planning (FP) launches its program to fund managers and industry group representatives.

ING FP General Manager Steve Thomson said the move was designed to identify young financial planners with initiative, drive and commitment, and to give them an opportunity to develop a career in the industry.

He said ING’s plan was for ING FP to “incubate” and develop emerging financial planning talent to lift the number of advisers coming into the industry.

“After planners have developed their skills with ING FP, our aim is to place them with ING’s dealer groups, RetireInvest, Tandem and Millennium 3 or they can set up their own businesses.”
 
Mr Thomson said there was a growing shortage of advisers in the industry and limited entry points and opportunities for people aspiring to pursue a career in financial planning.

“We believe ING Financial Planning provides an excellent opportunity for those seeking to enter the industry.

“ING owns and operates some of Australia’s largest and most recognisable financial planning companies, such as RetireInvest and Tandem.

“We have the brand and infrastructure that supports an adviser’s business growth,” he said.

“Our graduates program is designed to equip them with the necessary skills such as client relationship management to help build a strong, successful business. 

“ING Financial Planning is not a new dealer group. It is an existing business unit that has grown from ING’s wish to provide a service to potential customers, contacting ING for financial advice,” Mr Thomson said.

“There are many people who call seeking information about an ING product or service, but in the course of the enquiry, it becomes clear they require information that is technically financial advice.”

ING Financial Planning currently has 11 financial planners in Sydney and Melbourne.