Executive Team
Investing successfully and improving your investment portfolio can be as much about minimising mistakes as trying to pick the ‘next big thing’. It’s all about taking a calm and considered approach and not blindly following trends or hot tips. Click HERE to read the newsletter.
In our first newsletter of 2024 we take a look back at the year that was. Click HERE to read the full article.
As a member of the The Principals’ Community, our CEO, Joe Akiki, had the privilege of engaging in a panel discussion during Deakin University’s annual awards ceremony. The discussion centred around the topic of ‘The Challenges of Intergenerational Wealth Transfer.’ Joe, alongside other distinguished panellists, shared valuable insights on preparing the next generation for success and navigating substantial asset transfers among siblings.
We feel privileged to have played a part in contributing to the Deakin University awards ceremony, which recognises the achievements of high-performing graduates. Heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners!
Aging at home with government-subsidised funding is made possible through the Home Care Packages program. Read the full article HERE.
We are excited to announce that we have once again earned a prestigious ‘Superior’ 4-star rating from the independent investment research firm SQM Research.
Some of the key elements assessed by SQM Research were corporate governance, risk management, investment process, investment team and performance.
Additionally, SQM recognises our continued commitment to building quality investment solutions, and the responsibility that we take as custodians of our clients’ wealth.
We are very proud of the work and effort our exceptional team have put in to achieve this.
Residential property investors have been on a wild ride in recent years as prices slumped during the pandemic then quickly skyrocketed before losing ground again. CLICK HERE to read the full article.
Our September newsletter is out. One of the topics we discuss in this issue is life and personal insurance where we weigh up the pluses and minuses of taking out policies through your super fund. Click HERE to read the full newsletter.
Iron ore has been the backbone of the Australian economy and many investment portfolios for much of the 21st century. Export of the commodity saw Australia evade recession both in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis back in 2008 and the Covid epidemic. CLICK HERE to read the full article.
As our superannuation balances grow larger, it makes more sense than ever to keep track of the many rules changes that have recently happened or are coming up soon. Click HERE to read this month’s newsletter.
Welcome to our June newsletter and, as the winter sets in and the end of the financial year approaches, it’s a good chance to spend some time tidying up and reviewing your finances.
We’ve put together some practical ways to help you get your financial affairs in order, from assessing your current situation and dealing with necessary admin to checking that your super and insurances are still appropriate.
It’s also a good time to make sure your Will is up to date and to consider whether a testamentary trust is right for you. It can be a powerful estate planning tool that helps to protect the interests of your nearest and dearest.
And finally, whether retirement is just round the corner or way off on the horizon, having something in your life “to retire to” makes for a happy retirement – and a joy-filled life today.
CLICK HERE to read the full newsletter.
In his second Budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the first budget surplus in 15 years along with a plan for security, prosperity and growth. Click HERE to read the full analysis.
The regular increases in official interest rates are causing major concerns for those with mortgages and loans. On the other hand, some investors are cheering the rate rises such as those with significant cash investments who are now seeing larger returns.
Click HERE to read the newsletter, where we take a look at the inside story of interest rates and how they affect your investments.
With Autumn underway, the changing season is a reminder to take stock and prepare for what’s ahead as the financial year heads towards its final quarter and the May Federal Budget.
If taking stock also means contemplating your retirement plans, there is a trend towards fewer people working towards a final retirement date and then clocking off for good. Our first article provides some food for thought to help you to weigh up the options for funding your retirement.
Our second article looks at the new rating system for aged care accommodation which has been devised to provide important information for those looking at care providers for themselves or a loved one.
And finally, gut health is a big topic at the moment, with research showing that our unique microbiome impacts us in a myriad of ways. In our final article we look at ways you can boost your biome – and your overall health and wellbeing.
CLICK HERE to read the newsletter.
If you are planning your retirement, don’t leave it too late to work out the important details. In this month’s snapshot, we look at eight common retirement planning mistakes and steps you can take to avoid them. Click HERE to read the article.
We are excited to share the launch of Akambo’s brand new offering: Akambo Insurance Solutions.
Akambo Insurance Solutions provides personal advice, portfolio management and ongoing claim support at a time of need. Our scael and specialised focus provide access to unrivalled insurer terms and pricing, achieving better client outcomes.
Type of insurance we offer:
Please contact us via our website CONTACT FORM if you have any questions.
Our first newsletter in 2023 has just been released. In this snapshot we look at what moved markets and the economy in 2022 and what to watch out for in the year ahead. If history is any guide, there are bound to be surprises. Click HERE to read the full article.
Our Summer newsletter has just been published. Click HERE to read this month’s articles.
The excitement of heading towards retirement and a new stage of life can be tinged with concern over how to manage finances. For many people, seniors’ concession cards are a good way to help make ends meet. Our first article looks at the different types of concession cards offered by federal, state and territory governments.
Until recently, financial abuse was often kept secret, especially where it occurred within the family. Thankfully, that’s changing with public awareness campaigns and help becoming more readily available. Our second article explains how to spot and stop financial abuse.
And finally, we all approach decision making in our own way, making a multitude of decisions every day – our third article provides you with an insight into the decision-making process.
Read the full newsletter HERE.
In his first Budget since the May 2022 election, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has opted not to rock the boat. Instead, he has reset the economic forecasts to reflect the changing economic environment and targeted spending on areas with a long-term benefit to the nation and households. CLICK HERE to read the full analysis.
A question we hear a lot is whether it would be better to put surplus cash into your mortgage or into super. With interest rates on the rise and an uncertain investment outlook, your strategy may need a rethink. CLICK HERE to read the full newsletter.
Working out how much you need to save for retirement is a question that keeps many pre-retirees awake at night. In our newsletter, we are looking at the results of recent research which indicate you may need less than you fear. Click HERE to read the full newsletter.
Our Executive Chairman Anthony Kapetanovic sat down with James Dunn from The Inside Network to discuss how “Critical advice sector now calls for scalability post-Royal Commission”. CLICK HERE to watch the full interview.
While most of us wish to remain living in our own home for as long as possible as we age, this can be challenging without some help. In our latest snapshot we look at options for accessing aged care assistance at home. Please CLICK HERE to read the article.
Our team is growing!
Please join us in welcoming David Pitt to the Akambo Financial Group team as the Head of Licensing. We have also welcomed Maddi Higgins who has joined the team as the Head of Client Services. Welcome Maddi and David, we’re thrilled to have you onboard!
With winter in full swing, it’s a great time to rug up by the fire, take stock of the year that was and make plans for the future. CLICK HERE to read the full newsletter.
June has arrived and so has winter, as the financial year draws to a close. Now that the federal election is out of the way, it’s time to focus on planning for the future with more certainty. Read the full newsletter HERE.
Following the recent merger announcement, we have moved to our new office location that will accommodate us with the growth of our team.
Our new premises are located at:
Akambo Financial Group
Level 2, 90 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Our new postal address is:
Akambo Financial Group
PO Box 24014, Melbourne VIC 3001
Our phone numbers and email addresses will remain unchanged, as will our website address and social media accounts.
The new, more spacious, and modern office offers us the opportunity to improve the level of service and support we provide to our clients and business partners.
Trying to time investment markets is difficult if not impossible at the best of times, let alone now. The war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates and an upcoming federal election have all added to market uncertainty and volatility. Click HERE to read more.
It is with great pleasure and excitement that we today announce that Akambo Financial Group and First Financial will be merging its business operations to create an industry leading financial services provider with a singular focus of providing clients with the best client experience possible.
Akambo Financial Group has a strong pedigree in providing our clients with strategic financial advice, and market leading investment solutions which is further supported by our team of specialists. First Financial also have an established heritage in providing clients with the highest quality service, in financial services and having been in the industry for over 30 years.
By bringing our two firms together we can complement and create size and scale that will allow for increased efficiency, the ability to attract and retain the best talent, improved technology and most importantly, provide the best client experience possible within the Wealth Management industry.
Whilst we are merging the two businesses, Akambo Financial Group and First Financial will continue to operate as standalone entities, with no impact on the current client offerings or service standards. The main changes for our business will be in the form of back office and operational synergies only.
The merger has created high levels of enthusiasm amongst our staff, who are passionate about continuing to develop professionally and personally, with the key objective being to provide a great experience to our clients, which we continue to strive for every day.
The most important message for our valued clients is that there will be no change to the level of service, support, and care that you are currently receiving, and all your existing contact points remain exactly the same.
We look forward to continuing our long-lasting relationship with all our clients and are committed to improve the service and solutions we can provide you.
Want to know more? CLICK HERE
It’s March already which marks the beginning of Autumn. While this is traditionally the season when things cool down, the economic and political scene is gearing up with the Federal Budget later this month and a federal election expected by May. CLICK HERE to read the newsletter.
With the new work year beginning, some Aussies may have decided that this is the year they will retire. Increasingly though, retirement is not a fixed date but a gradual process. We explore the many ways Australians are transitioning into retirement, what your options are and how you might finance them. CLICK HERE to read the newsletter.
There are no prizes for guessing what dominated the economic landscape in 2021. For the second year running, the pandemic was the focus for policy makers, markets, businesses, and individuals alike. CLICK HERE to read the newsletter.
As another year winds down and the weather begins to warm up, you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief as 2021 draws to a close. Although we’ve come a long way since the peak-COVID scare of early last year, the cloud of the virus continues to linger over us, and will probably do so for some time. Share markets and economic data are telling a slightly different story, with many indexes around record highs and economic data most resilient (notwithstanding the transitory impact of lockdowns, which we’re hopefully now done with).
Click HERE to read our December newsletter.
It’s been a wild and windy start to October, complete with flooding rains and earthquakes. Markets have been much the same, with volatility increasing as we move through the seasonally turbulent September/October period. Losses on the Australian Stock Exchange during September snapped an 11 month streak of monthly gains. But there are reasons for optimism: along with the warmer weather, rising vaccination rates are paving the way for the re-opening of borders and business after another winter of seemingly endless lockdowns.
Ethical, responsible, sustainable – call it what you will, but investing with a social conscience is on the rise. So, in this month’s snapshot we discuss what is meant by responsible investing, who is leading the trend and whether the returns are as good as the mainstream alternatives.
The concept of “ethical investing” is extremely subjective, and prone to nuance and manipulation. At Akambo, we have used ESG (environmental, social governance) considerations for many years to help guide our investment decisions on the belief that in order to be a good business (and therefore a good investment), a company needs to embrace a sound ESG approach. Of course, it is important to emphasise that ESG considerations are but one of many factors that determine whether a particular business is a sound investment.
As always, if you would like to discuss your investment strategy, don’t hesitate to contact our office on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our October newsletter.
As large swathes of the Australian population begin to emerge from another winter of COVID gloom, there is a growing hope that Australia’s oldest football club, the Melbourne Demons, may also be able put an end to its own extended period of misery. When the Demons take on the Western Bulldogs in the AFL Grand Final in under two weeks, they will be seeking to end a 57 year premiership drought. The fact that the game will be played away from its traditional home of the MCG for the second year in a row serves to emphasise the contracted impact that COVID has had on many social aspects of Australian society.
The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of protecting elderly Australians, so we have included an article on finding quality, affordable aged care as the first article in our Spring newsletter.
We also look at insurance within your superannuation fund, what it costs and what you need to know.
And finally, are you feeling a bit lacklustre as the days roll by? It’s a feeling that is difficult to put your finger on, but it has a name, languishing. We provide some tips to help you on your way to flourishing.
As always, if you would like to discuss your investment strategy, don’t hesitate to contact our office on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our September newsletter.
It’s August, and this chilly winter and periodic lockdowns can’t end fast enough for many of us. One bright spot, along with the golden wattle at this time of year, is the golden performance of our athletes in Tokyo.
After a shaky start, last financial year was an excellent year for investors. Returns from shares and property exceeded most expectations, as did returns from super funds. But amidst all the headlines about “the best year since……”, there were some compelling lessons for investors. Not every investor had the patience and foresight to stay invested, or more importantly, heed the balanced and rational guidance from an experienced financial adviser.
In this snapshot, we look at the importance of basic investment principles that can help in good times and bad.
As always, if you would like to discuss your investment strategy, don’t hesitate to contact our office on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our August newsletter.
It’s July, there’s a nip in the air and winter has well and truly set in, as Australia deals with COVID outbreaks across several states. But July also marks the start of the new financial year, a good time to reflect on how far we have come since this time last year and to make plans for the year ahead.
Share markets had a strong finish to the financial year, with the Australian benchmark ASX200 gaining 26.4% to the end of June – its best Financial Year since 1987. Akambo’s diversified multi-asset portfolios also delivered their best financial year returns, with the Balanced Portfolio growing 18.39% and the Growth Portfolio rising 21.58% (before fees). The Portfolios are currently skewed to companies that will perform well in an early stage inflationary environment and businesses that will benefit from the continued emergence from a COVID-afflicted environment.
The new financial year also rings in some new opportunities to boost your retirement savings. Some may require planning, such as increases in the amount you can contribute to super annually, others won’t require any effort at all, such as the increase in the Super Guarantee. In this snapshot we canvass all the changes happening from July 1 and how you can take advantage of them.
As always, if you would like to know how these changes may affect you or how your investments have fared over the past financial year, don’t hesitate to contact our office on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our July newsletter.
It’s June which means winter has officially arrived. As we rug up and spend more time indoors, it’s a perfect time to get your financial house in order as another financial year draws to a close. And what a year it has been!
It’s been a year of change on so many fronts, including tax and super. So for the first article in our Winter newsletter, we cover some last minute ways to reduce your tax bill and boost your savings both in and out of super.
We’ve also included a summary of some major changes ahead for income protection insurance and how you may be able to avoid some of the costs.
And finally, optimism has been shown to be great for your wallet and there are a lot of things you can do to cultivate a more positive mindset – and improve your bottom line.
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter, don’t hesitate to contact our office on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our June newsletter.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s second pandemic Budget, and possibly his last before the next federal election, is a big spending Budget aimed squarely at a swift economic recovery.
As widely tipped, the focus is on jobs, aged care, childcare, women and first -home buyers with some superannuation and tax sweeteners added for good measure.
As always, if you would like to discuss how the Budget might impact your finances, don’t hesitate to contact our office on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our May newsletter.
April begun with a welcome Easter break. As the vaccine rollout continues, restrictions ease, and life is a little closer to normal despite occasional setbacks.
It’s not often that boring bonds make headlines, but they have lately due to a sharp rise in interest rates. In this snapshot, we discuss what rising bond rates tell us about market expectations around economic growth and inflation. We also look at the possible impact on shares and other investments.
As always, if you would like to discuss how current market conditions might affect your investment strategy, give us a call.
If you would like to discuss your financial needs, don’t hesitate to call on 03 9602 3233.
CLICK HERE to view our April newsletter.
After an eventful summer, of weather extremes, on-again off-again lockdowns and the swearing in of a new US President, many will be hoping that Autumn ushers in a change of more than the season. As the vaccine rollout begins, there are also promising signs that economic recovery may be earlier than expected.
While many retires are understandably reluctant to tap into their super too quickly, super is unlikely to be your only source of retirement income. Our first article looks at ways you can make the most of your assets to fund your retirement.
The change of season is also a good time to prune back your finances to promote future growth, we show you how.
And our final article looks at how to achieve financial harmony with your nearest and dearest. It can be challenging to be on the same page with your loved one about financial matters, but clear and open communication can pave the way for a unified approach.
CLICK HERE to view our March newsletter.
December and summer are finally here. It’s been a tough year, but once again Australians have proved extremely resilient. CLICK HERE to read our summer newsletter.
Interest rates are at historic lows and likely to stay low for the foreseeable future, which poses a dilemma for anyone trying to make the most of their savings. Is it better to put your money in the bank, your mortgage, superannuation or in investments outside super? CLICK HERE to read the article.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s second budget, delayed by five months due to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, is designed to chart a course out of recession and get the economy moving again. CLICK HERE to read the full analysis.
The wait is over! We are excited to announce the launch of Akambo Lending Solutions. Are you a first home buyer, next home buyer, refinancer or an investors? We’re here to help. CLICK HERE to find out more about our new service offering.
The countdown is on! Just over 3 days left until we launch Akambo’s brand new service offering. #comingsoon #proudtobeakambo
Have you heard the news? A brand new service offering is coming to Akambo, countdown starts now.
More businesses and not-for-profits will be eligible for JobKeeper payment extension under a $15.6 billion change to the scheme announced on August 7. CLICK HERE to find out more.
Just when you thought you had a grip on the superannuation rules, they change again. This time though, the changes are mostly positive, especially for older super members keen to top up their savings. Click here to read the article.
With Australia in a COVID-induced recession, residential property is not immune to falling economic activity. Yet housing prices are proving surprisingly resilient. CLICK HERE to read the full article.
Winter is here and we are almost at the end of another financial year. And what a year it’s been! With so many Australians impacted by fires, floods, drought and now COVID-19, let’s hope the new financial year sees a return to something like normality. CLICK HERE to read our Winter newsletter.
News Bites will keep you up to date with the latest Government announcements and initiatives that will impact your financial situation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.
In this edition we will cover the following topics:
CLICK HERE to read this month’s News Bites.
How to make peace with the unknown as the uncertainty around the coronavirus crisis and its far-reaching impact is creating fear for many around the globe? CLICK HERE to read this month’s Akambo newsletter.
As the impact of the coronavirus on our daily lives and livelihoods rapidly evolves, below are the latest measures released by the Government to reduce both the impact to the nations health, economy, household and business finances. CLICK HERE to read the following articles:
As the impact of the coronavirus on our daily lives and livelihoods rapidly evolves, the Government is increasing income support for individuals. Click HERE to read the full article.
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, our priority remains to continue providing the best client service whilst protecting the health and safety of our people and their families. Please read our Managing Director’s message HERE.
With interest rates at historic lows and likely to stay that way for some time, retirees and other investors who depend on income from their investments are on the lookout for a decent yield. Read the full article HERE.
Looking back at 2019: a year of extremes, with shares hitting record highs and interest rates at historic lows. Yet all in all, 2019 delivered far better returns than Australian investors dared hope for at the start of the year. CLICK HERE to read a full article.
Superannuation comes in for a lot of criticism, yet a recent report ranked Australia’s retirement income system number three in the world. Read the full Summer Newsletter HERE.
With economic growth slowing in Australia and around the globe, investors are uncertain about where to put their savings. In this snapshot, we look at the implications of current market trends for investors and the importance of having a plan. Click HERE to read more.
For the first time in years, the planets seem to be aligning for homebuyers and property investors. Interest rates are falling, property prices largely appear to be stabilising and constraints on bank mortgage lending have been relaxed. CLICK HERE to read more.
Congratulations to our very own Sarah Ward for being shortlisted for the Women in Finance Awards 2019. Sarah has been named a finalist in the Office Administrator of the Year category.
Sarah has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to shaping and steering the success of Akambo Financial Group.
Welcome to our special election edition. We’ve fast-tracked our Winter newsletter to discuss the return of the Morrison Liberal/National Party Coalition government. CLICK HERE to find out more.
May is here, and as the weather begins to cool the political climate is heating up.
As the federal election draws near, the spotlight is on the nation’s hip pocket and future prosperity. That makes this a good time to take a closer look at our retirement savings.
We all know we need to save for retirement and that the compulsory super contributions may not be enough to support our dream retirement. What is less clear is how much super is enough. In this snapshot, we discuss the factors you need to consider when setting a retirement savings target. We also look at how your balance compares with others in your age group and tax-effective ways to boost your super before the end of the financial year.
CLICK HERE to read more.
We have created this free new App to give you access to important information, resources and insights.
Some of the key features of the Akambo App are:
We hope you enjoy using the Akambo App.
Download the App NOW on the App Store and Google Play
December is upon us and debates about superannuation and whether it will be enough to retire on are constantly in the news. So we decided to ask what your dream retirement looks like and what it might cost. We also look at the importance of insurance cover to protect yourself and the people you love. To find out more click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/grv7inz
Superannuation is a long-term financial relationship. Throughout your super journey you will experience the ups and downs of bull and bear markets so it’s important to keep your eye on the long term.
Click on the article below to find out more:
2018.11 November Akambo Newsletter
Akambo has implemented a deliberate and measured approach to better position our business and to further grow the wealth of our clients. Read more about our success story HERE.
Plugging in to technology stocks, young invincibles – the importance of insurance and lessons from the ‘rich list’. Find out more by clicking on: https://lnkd.in/gfAAiHg
Congratulations to our very own Joe Akiki for winning the 2018 IFA Excellence ‘Practice Principal of the Year’ Award. A very well deserved recognition of Joe’s hard work, passion and dedication. Well done!
Since opening our door, Akambo has developed into a thriving and highly successful integrated financial services business, comprising of a team of exceptionally experienced professionals with broad industry expertise. We take enormous pride in our ability to deliver a pro-active and client centric service and during recent years we have implemented a deliberate and measured approach to better position our business and further grow the wealth of our clients…….
Another financial year is drawing to a close, making this a perfect time to look back at all you’ve achieved over the past 12 months and set goals for the year ahead. Click on the link to find out more: https://lnkd.in/gd8feKB
The updated identity had to satisfy all of the existing expectations of what our original mark stands for, while simultaneously moving the brand forward to acknowledge the maturity, development, growth and uniqueness of our service, and thus we introduce Akambo Financial Group.
Akambo Financial Group has the same commitment and people driving the business as it did 11 years ago – just with a new look and feel. Our Private Wealth division continues to support our existing clients and Joint venture partners, in the same way our Accountants Private Advice channel continues to support our licensed partners.
Click on the link to read more: https://lnkd.in/gAZZJe8