HOFS – FSG

This Financial Services Guide is an important document for retail investors and will provide you with an understanding of Howard Osmond Financial Services (HOFS), its authorised representative, Patricia Howard, and our service offering, prior to us providing you with a financial service.

Importantly, Howard Osmond Financial Services can be contacted by calling 0427 429 817, emailing [email protected] or by mail at PO Box 2175, Rosebud Vic 3939. Howard Osmond Financial Services is the holder of Licence Number 412820.

Statement of Advice (SOA)

You will receive a SOA if your Adviser provides you with any personal advice about a product or service which takes into account your financial objectives, financial circumstances, needs and requirements.

The SOA will contain the following important information:

The basis on which the advice and recommendations are given Information about fees and commissions that may be received

Any associations or relationships that may have influenced the provision of the advice.

Further Advice

If we give you additional advice, and your personal circumstances or the basis of the previous recommendations are not significantly different, a new statement of advice may not be required. We will keep a record of any additional advice we provide you and create a record of Advice. You can ask for a copy of our advice at any time using our contact details in this guide.

In specific circumstances, a Record of Advice (ROA) will simply confirm the discussions you have had with us, the recommendations we are making and the basis for those recommendations. These various documents will also explain how those recommendations will work towards achieving your goals, any fees received by us and any associations with financial product providers.

Can I tell you how I wish to instruct you to buy or sell my investments?

You may specify how you would like to give us instructions, for example by telephone or email. However, we need your written consent (signature) to authorise a transaction.

It is important you take extra care to provide accurate information when authorising us to act on instructions via email. We are under no obligation to act on any instructions which are incomplete or unclear. If your instructions are incomplete or unclear, we may seek verification of your instructions via a phone call or further email correspondence.

We will not be liable for any costs, expenses, loss or damages you may suffer or incur in conjunction with any action taken or omitted by us in following an email instruction.

Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)

Should your Adviser make a recommendation to you about a particular financial product or offer to arrange the issue of a financial product on your behalf, you will receive a PDS prepared by the product provider. This will contain information to assist you in making an informed decision about that product. The PDS usually includes information about the costs and details of other fees and charges which may apply to that investment.

Who will be responsible for providing the financial services?

HOFS is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number 412820).

Patricia Howard is an authorised representative of HOFS, ASIC Adviser Number 001239389, and provides financial services on behalf of HOFS. Therefore, HOFS will be responsible to you for any financial services that your Adviser provides.

What kind of compensation arrangements are in place?

We have in place Professional Indemnity Insurance that satisfies the requirements for client compensation required under section 912B of the Corporations Act. The insurance policy covers claims in relation to the conduct of our Representatives and Employees, including those who no longer work for us (but did at the time of the relevant conduct).

What financial services and products is HOFS authorised to provide?

HOFS is authorised under its Australian Financial Services Licence to offer advice to you in the following areas to:

• Government Debentures, Stocks or Bonds
• Life Products
  Investment Life Insurance Products
  Life Risk Insurance Products
• Managed Investment Schemes, excluding IDPS
• Retirement Savings Account Products
• Securities
• Superannuation - All

What services does HOFS not provide?

HOFS is responsible for only those services outlined in your Adviser’s Profile. HOFS has not authorised your Adviser to provide any other services including:

• banking services
• general insurance
• loan facilities
• financing arrangements
• legal advice
• accounting advice
• real estate services
• taxation advice

How is the remuneration shared between HOFS and your Adviser?

You will be charged a fixed fee for preparing the Statement of Advice and a fixed fee each year if you decide to allow Patricia Howard Financial Planning to manage your investments. These charges will be fully disclosed before you agree to pay them.

HOFS initially receives all remuneration once the financial service has been provided and/or the business has been lodged with the product provider. HOFS then retains 20% of the remuneration received and then distributes 80% to Patricia Howard Financial Planning Pty Ltd, who then pays your adviser a fixed salary.

A fixed fee of $3,300 is charged for the creation of a Statement of Advice although this might increase if the issues recommended are unduly complex. A standard fee of $6,600 a year is charged for managing a client’s portfolio although this might vary according to the complexity involved.

Howard Osmond Financial Services receives no other financial or non-financial benefits other than the fees paid to it by clients.

When will specific details about fees be notified?

If you proceed and request a SOA, you will be provided with letter of engagement which clearly outlines the fees charged by HOFS to provide the SOA. The SOA will detail any further charges you will incur if you implement the advice provided. An explanation of the fees and charges of the product provider will also be outlined in the relevant PDS.

Relationships which might influence HOFS/your Advisor providing financial services

HOFS does not have any relationships with any companies or services providers that may influence the advice it gives to its client.

Will advice be given that is suitable to your needs and financial circumstances?

Yes - your Adviser is obliged by law to have a reasonable basis for personal advice they provide, but to do so your Adviser will need to ascertain your individual financial objectives, circumstances, needs and requirements before he/she recommends any financial products or services to you.

To assist your Adviser in providing appropriate advice tailored to your individual needs we ask that you provide accurate information about your personal situation and keep your Adviser updated on any changes to your circumstances.

You have the right not to divulge any information should you not wish to do so. In that case your Adviser will warn you about the possible consequences of not providing your full personal information including limitations on the advice which can be provided. You should read the information in your SOA carefully before making any decision relating to a financial product.

What should you know about any risks of the financial products or strategies that are recommended to you?

Please be aware there are inherent risks associated with investing in financial markets which may adversely affect the value of your investment. Your Adviser will explain to you and fully outline in the SOA any significant risks of the financial products and strategies that are recommended to you. If you feel you need further clarification, please ask your Adviser.

What information does HOFS maintain in your file and can you examine the file?

Your Adviser maintains a record of your personal profile, which includes details of your financial objectives, your tax file number, needs and requirements. She also maintains records of any recommendations made to you in the course of taking instructions from you as well as any SOA she has provided to you. If you wish to examine your file, you should contact your Adviser and she will make arrangements for you to do so.

How does HOFS deal with the Anti-Money Laundering / Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (“AML/CTF Act”)?

HOFS has an obligation under the AML/CTF Act to verify your identity before we can provide you with any financial services. Your Adviser will let you know what documentation you will need to present to satisfy the customer identification requirements of the AML/CTF Act.

How do we handle your personal information?

HOFS is committed to implementing and promoting a privacy policy which will ensure the privacy and security of your personal information. A copy of our Privacy Policy is available on request.

Complaints procedure and compensation arrangements What should you do if you have a complaint?

If you have a complaint about any service provided by your Adviser, you should take the following steps:

1. Contact the HOFS Complaints Resolution Officer to discuss your complaint.

PHONE: 0427 429 817
EMAIL: [email protected]
MAIL: Complaints Resolution Officer
P.O. Box 2175 Rosebud, VIC. 3939

We will try to resolve your complaint promptly and fairly.

2. If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction within 45 days, you have the right to present your complaint to the independent complaint handling service that HOFS is a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, free of charge.

PHONE: 1800 931678
EMAIL: [email protected]
MAIL: Complaints Resolution Officer GPO Box 3 Melbourne VIC 3001

Patricia Howard

This Adviser Profile forms part of the Financial Services Guide and provides you with additional information about your adviser Patricia Howard who is an Authorised Representative of Patricia Howard Financial Services Pty Ltd (HOFS).

Education

• Bachelor of Commerce, University of Melbourne
• Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning. of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Patricia Howard has passed the FASAE Financial Advisers’ Exam.

Experience

• Patricia Howard has worked as a financial planner since 2004
• For twenty years prior to that, I was a senior finance journalist for The Age newspaper, specialising in financial planning issues.

Patricia Howard is an authorised by HOFS to provide financial product advice and deal in the following areas:

• Government Debentures, Stocks or Bonds
• Life Products
  Investment Life Insurance Products
  Life Risk Insurance Products
• Managed Investment Schemes, excluding IDPS
• Retirement Savings Account Products
• Securities
• Superannuation - All

Any questions?

Please contact your Adviser in the first instance if you have any questions about this FSG or the financial services we provide. This FSG should be retained by you in a safe place for future reference.