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Showing posts with label Vivier & Co. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vivier & Co. Show all posts

Thursday, January 15, 2015

CEO of Vivier & Co, Luigi Wewege believes New Zealand’s economic growth represents a massive opportunity for investors in 2015






The start of the year is a great time for all investors to consider whether their current investment mix is still suitable – after reviewing their circumstances and any changes that may be needed for future planning.

Investors sometimes retain portfolios they haven’t reviewed for a number of years. Yes, decisions were appropriate when first put in place. But perhaps personal situations have changed. For instance, an inheritance may have been received, which could have an impact on retirement planning. Perhaps a relationship break-up has significantly reduced overall assets. Or maybe the world economic outlook has led to better opportunities. Any number of matters could have changed since you last reviewed your portfolio. These could significantly affect your time-frame - or indeed your goals.

With an excellent track record in handling past financial crises, New Zealand is a safe haven for investments. Although highly regulated, it has some of the most reliable economic and fiscal policies in the world. When coupled to some of the highest interest rates amongst developed nations, it’s little wonder that the country has a reputation as the jurisdiction of choice for investors.

New Zealand’s economy grew by 3.4% last year. That was the largest increase in ten years and - according to analysts - the country promises even more growth this year, when the economy is expected to grow by a full 4%. Moreover, New Zealand is expected to be enjoying its first budget surplus in seven years, a remarkable situation, compared with other countries.

New Zealand’s favourable position is widely expected to lead to major tax reductions for low and middle income earners, amounting by 2017 to NZ$1.5 billion, together with a prudently controlled debt and a growing economy. It is undoubtedly New Zealand’s excellent economic policies that have taken overall business confidence index to a recent high of 30.4. With current fiscal policies likely to continue in the same successful fashion, they indicate a welcome opportunity for the investment community. Shouldn’t that include you?

Amongst those taking most advantage of the country's positive business environment is the financial sector. It’s already becoming one of the most attractive of all for investment. The NZX50 was up 17.0 per cent last year, a stellar performance, against a 16.5 per cent increase in 2013 and 24.2 per cent in the bumper year before that.

Over the last decade, the New Zealand market has delivered an average annual return of no less than 6.7 per cent. However, the last three years have been exceptional. In 2015, investors remaining alive to the opportunities should expect the same outstanding returns.

About the Author
Luigi Wewege is the founder of Vivier Group & CEO of its Auckland based financial services arm Vivier & Co. He is also the Managing Director of its sister companies Vivier InvestmentsVivier DevelopmentsVivier Home Loans and Vivier Mortgages.

Vivier & Co
Vivier and Company Limited (‘VCL’) is registered in New Zealand under number: 1130618. VCL is a member of Financial Services Complaints Limited a New Zealand Government approved Dispute Resolution Scheme, and maintains an insurance policy with Standard and Poor's A+ rated insurers, providing a NZD2,000,000 indemnity on any one claim/loss in the aggregate.

For further details, please contact
Press at Vivier Group
Level 31, Vero Centre, 48 Shortland Street Auckland 1010, New Zealand
+64 9 889 3998
press@viviergroup.com

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Endeavour Magazine interviews Luigi Wewege, CEO of Vivier & Co on the outlook of Boutique Financial Services



Endeavour Magazine interviews Luigi Wewege, CEO of Vivier & Co on the outlook of Boutique Financial Services

Auckland, New Zealand
The Global Credit Crunch had relatively little effect on the New Zealand banking sector. In part, this fortunate stability was a result of the health of the country’s financial market and lending sector, which always faced much sterner regulation and control than many other countries during the boom years between 2002 and 2007.  For such reasons, since the 1990s, New Zealand has been the destination of choice for global investors, who have been well rewarded for their faith. Particularly, those from countries such as Japan and China, who flocked to place their household savings in New Zealand, have since received interest rates well above their domestic offerings. 

“This has seen a global uptake in investors who want to enjoy the attractive rates offered from New Zealand, without exposing themselves to exchange rate risk,” says Luigi Wewege, CEO of Vivier & Co, one of New Zealand’s most prominent financial companies. 

Founded in 2001, the company was heavily focussed on domestic assets and New Zealand clients. “More recently,” Luigi tell us, “the management team has found a way to obtain secure, higher yielding investments. It therefore decided to take advantage of the company’s good reputation and efficient cost base to offer our services worldwide. These include above average deposit rates, coupled with security and lasting stability.”

This boutique financial institution now services the unique needs of an international clientele. While headquartered in Auckland New Zealand, Vivier Group enjoys a presence on virtually every continent with offices in Johannesburg, Lima, Orlando, Dublin, London, Paris, Munich, Dubai and Hong Kong, “We also have many clients outside these main hub cities,” Luigi is quick to point out.

He continues to note that, as a Financial Service Provider, Vivier & Co’s business is relatively straight forward. Put simply, they offer a higher interest rate on savings - in any major currency - than available almost anywhere else. The company also maintains a Bankers Blanket Bond with Standard and Poor's A+ rated insurers, providing a NZD2,000,000 indemnity on any one claim/loss in the aggregate.  This is a simple and effective product that satisfies a global problem for investors seeking a higher yield but with complementary safety.  Additionally, they offer bank accounts to companies and individuals who wish to do business outside their country but face difficulties opening an account abroad.

“As regards to distribution, we have an international advisory board, with members based around the world,” he says. “And we offer local customer service directly through teams responsible for each major language and/or jurisdiction.”

While New Zealand may have dodged the worst of the global credit crunch, institutions like Vivier & Co still face their share of hurdles. The underdevelopment of a buoyant financial service sector in multiple locations is one of them, “Outside of highly developed hubs such as Singapore and London it is difficult for people to gain access to boutique financial services,” Luigi points out. 

The other hurdle is a lack of consumer awareness about the meaning of boutique financial services, which means that Vivier staff often face the challenge of explaining the advantages to clients.  But when it comes to personal service, they are very well looked after.

The staff working at Vivier & Co benefit from a companywide devotion to their development. “We are offering products that are not available via the usual high street banks,” Luigi says, “so it demands a more personal level of customer contact, in particular when dealing with clients that look for tailored solutions going beyond the scope of traditional services.”

 “A Boutique Financial Institution must attract and retain staff who are incentivised to deliver these investment solutions efficiently and effectively,” he adds. “Smaller than a traditional bank, we can be more flexible and focused with our staff as well as with our clients.”

Development includes a full scope of industry training, as the financial regulators in New Zealand set strict rules in relation to anti-money laundering and ‘knowing your client’.  All of Vivier & Co’s staff are well versed in these rules and apply them in their day to day work. Examinations are also available for RFAs and AFAs, Registered Financial Advisers. The company also has to belong to a dispute resolution scheme. This ensures clients can have confidence when they deal with a financial adviser: that they are professional and meet appropriate standards of competence, care and diligence. Training takes the form of attendance at seminars on compliance and related matters.

Luigi points out some of the specific customer services for which Vivier & Co are renowned: “We offer above average returns along with far higher security than normally available. Interest can be paid gross without any deduction of tax,” he says. “We have also limited the amount of costs for transfers on inward and outward deposits, minimalized account charges and removed market risk volatility.”

And, importantly, Vivier offers a more personalised customer contact that can be found almost anywhere else. This particular aspect of the company, their person-to-person approach, is one of the keystones to its position in the industry. Luigi explains that after-sales service and customer commitment are critical elements of the business, “We cannot and do not take our clients for granted, as happens with many high street institutions,” he says. “We listen to each client’s particular needs and develop a deep understanding of his or her financial goals.”  

In this way, they can work together to make the best financial decisions, something that is hard to achieve with a retail bank. It’s yet another reason why Vivier & Co is so highly respected and enjoys relationships with such a great number of satisfied customers who not only return, but also spread the word: “A positive recommendation from a client is worth its weight in gold,” he adds.

Of course, Vivier & Co is not the only financial operation offering boutique services but has found the best solution to outplaying the competition is by offering far higher quality. Thusly, they continue to make highly selective loans, secured directly or indirectly against real estate located in the UK and Ireland, both of which are stable members of the European Union, while at the same time, ensuring costs are contained by providing straightforward products and keeping a close eye on overheads.  

“This winning combination allows us to continue offering above-average interest rates and thus staying ahead of the other players in the market place,” is the company’s mission statement.
With 2014 almost at an end, Luigi is looking at the next year with anticipation and excitement, as there are a number of new developments on the horizon.

Earlier in 2014, after several months of negotiations, the purchase was completed of Vivier Mortgages Limited, a Dublin based home loan company. This will enter them into the mortgage industry, as well as offer a chance to take part in the fast moving Irish economy. Similarly, the Vivier Property division has recently established an association with first rate, experienced developers in the United Kingdom. This will allow the group to invest in a wide range of residential real estate that will expand the asset side of the balance sheet and offer even more security to their clients. Finally, the Vivier Technology division has entered the scene as a crucial part of the offering, “A short while ago, the company mandated a top design firm to rewrite the entire website.” Luigi explains, “At the same time, we have signed up with a new debit card organisation, affiliated with VISA and MasterCard. This will allow us to simplify account opening procedures and online banking as well as to improve data protection and functionality from anywhere in the world.”

Each of these projects has demanded significant human resources, Luigi explains, “The group has called on experts and specialists worldwide to accomplish these goals, which have required considerable capital.”

This capital was sourced by the shareholders and demonstrates the level of confidence they have in the company’s long term goals, “Quite rightly they trust that this investment will be vindicated by stable expansion of the client base, growth of the balance sheet and ultimately the success of the group as a whole.” Luigi concludes. 

About Don Campbell
Don Campbell is the Director of Editorial and Business Generation at Littlegate Publishing LTD where he has facilitated the growth of the internationally read publication Endeavour Magazine as well as a number of standalone, industry specific publications available at Littlegate.

About Littlegate Publishing
Littlegate Publishing LTD is the publisher of choice for corporate decision makers and boardroom icons seeking the latest business news, profiles and opinion articles. Our benchmark publication Endeavour Magazine adorns the desks of some of the world’s most iconic corporate leaders as well as the fastest growing businesses in a range of industries. 

About Luigi Wewege
Luigi Wewege is the founder of Vivier Group & CEO of its Auckland based financial services arm Vivier & Co. He is also the Managing Director of its sister companies Vivier InvestmentsVivier DevelopmentsVivier Home Loans and Vivier Mortgages.

About Vivier & Co
Vivier and Company Limited (‘VCL’) is incorporated and registered as a Financial Service Provider in New Zealand under registration number: 1130618. VCL is a member of Financial Services Complaints Limited a New Zealand Government approved Dispute Resolution Scheme and maintains an Insurance Policy with Standard and Poor's A+ rated insurers, providing a NZD2,000,000 indemnity on any one claim/loss in the aggregate.

For further details, please contact

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Luigi Wewege, CEO of Vivier & Co on why New Zealand is considered a secure destination for investment funds



Fortunately, the Global Credit Crunch had relatively little effect on the New Zealand banking sector.  A striking contributory cause was the health of the New Zealand financial market, due largely to the quality of its lending sector.  In New Zealand, this has faced much sterner regulation and control than had, regrettably, become the norm in many other OECD countries during the property boom years of 2002-2007. 

Another huge attraction today, when considering safety for global investors, is New Zealand’s secure social and political environment, which has very largely stayed constant throughout the past 150 years.  Politically, both of the two main political parties neatly reflect the populace, in that they are just a smidgen to the left or right of centre, which is pretty much how New Zealand sees itself. This is not a country that encourages or in fact tolerates extremists.

New Zealand is also considered one of the most honest and least corrupt places in which to do business; this is a well-deserved reputation, of which New Zealand is passionately protective.  All in all, there are few places that could be considered a better place in which to invest your funds.

For these reasons, since the 1990s, New Zealand has increasingly found itself a destination of choice for global investors.  They have been well rewarded for their faith, particularly those from Japan and China, who have flocked to place their household savings into NZ currency issues, reaping an interest rate well above the domestic offering.  Chinese investors have also been buying huge tracts of good NZ farmland as well as residential homes in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.   

Global investors who want to enjoy the attractive rates of New Zealand without exposing themselves to exchange rate risk now have a further option: our easy to open Vivier & Co deposit accounts.

About the Author
Luigi Wewege is the founder of Vivier Group & CEO of its Auckland based financial services arm Vivier & Co. He is also the Managing Director of its sister companies Vivier InvestmentsVivier DevelopmentsVivier Home Loans and Vivier Mortgages.

Vivier & Co
Vivier and Company Limited (‘VCL’) is incorporated and registered as a Financial Service Provider in New Zealand under registration number: 1130618. VCL is a member of Financial Services Complaints Limited a New Zealand Government approved Dispute Resolution Scheme and maintains an Insurance Policy with Standard and Poor's A+ rated insurers, providing a NZD2,000,000 indemnity on any one claim/loss in the aggregate.

For further details, please contact

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Luigi Wewege, CEO of Vivier & Co believes New Zealand’s share market should not be overlooked



Unlike the situation in the United States and Europe, New Zealand companies more often than not pay out a significant proportion of their earnings as dividends. Consequently, investing in New Zealand feels rather like the “good old days” for many international investors.  Investing long term for the dividend income used to be the predominant reason that international investors got involved in shares. But around 1970 the focus became capital growth, a focus that has remained predominant internationally to this day.

One of the good things about New Zealand shares is that paying out a high proportion of earnings to investors has not prevented capital growth.  Some of the biggest dividend payers, like banking, utilities and telecommunications groups, have experienced significant growth over the past few decades. They are still doing so. Thus, you could claim – as many experts do - that investing in major New Zealand shares gives you the best of both worlds: great earnings potential plus capital growth.

Strong dividend payments in New Zealand have, in fact, regularly gone hand-in-hand with strong earnings growth.  Consequently, although the NZX hasn’t always performed quite as well as its U.S. equivalent, in percentage terms New Zealand investors who re-invested their earnings would have had just as good a return, and in many cases a rather better one, than their overseas counterparts.

Many New Zealand investors, too, overlook the impact that dividends have on their portfolios. When the stellar growth in percentage terms that we’ve seen over the past 5 years slows, as it eventually must, good dividends will contribute greatly to the continued performance of those portfolios.

In short, for many, New Zealand could well represent a ‘Back to the Future’ opportunity. It should certainly not be overlooked when selecting a share market in which to be involved.  

About the Author
Luigi Wewege is CEO of Vivier & Co a boutique Financial Service Provider, registered in New Zealand.

Vivier & Co
Vivier and Company Limited (‘VCL’) is incorporated and registered as a Financial Service Provider (‘FSP’) in New Zealand, whose Financial Markets Authority supervises all FSPs. Additionally, VCL belongs to a Government approved Dispute Resolution Scheme. VCL maintains a Bankers Blanket Bond with Standard and Poor's A+ rated insurers, providing a NZD2,000,000 indemnity on any one claim/loss in the aggregate.

For further details, please contact


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