We are delighted to welcome Viktorija to the team as our newest Mortgage & Protection Adviser. She has existing experience as a Mortgage and Protection Adviser and we asked her some questions about herself and her views on the world of Financial Planning:
Why did you choose a career in Financial Planning?
I’ve always been passionate about Financial Services and I get a lot of job satisfaction within the industry.
I get to join in on the client journey as they plan for a home, whether it is their first home, their dream home, their holiday home or a buy to let. I also get to find out about their lifetime goals, their plans for retirement, their concerns for their families and I get to sit with them and find solutions for their concerns and make proposals for their goals.
What do you enjoy most about your role as a Mortgage and Protection Adviser?
I take a lot of pride in the service I give to clients and I really enjoy being able to make their lives easier, especially at a very busy and stressful time.
There are the obviously exciting times that are enjoyable, for example, helping a client get their dream home, or working towards that dream kitchen they have always wanted.
However there are other satisfying times, when I know that the protection advice I have given a client has meant that they and their families can be provided for if the worst was to happen.
My clients are very important to me and I want to make it easier for them to focus on family and memories, and not on where their money might come from to pay their debts or provide them with an income in a time of need.
In the age of technology and information being so easily accessible, why do you think it is still important for people to get Financial Advice?
In terms of mortgage and protection advice, the process can be very daunting, especially for first time buyers if they are not guided properly. Having a mortgage is quite a large debt which needs to be processed correctly.
I believe that seeking Financial Advice is important, as you are planning your financial future and I personally wouldn’t want to gamble with the information on the internet.
No one can become a Financial Adviser overnight as there is a considerable amount of learning to go through, and qualifications to achieve and maintain each year.
Do you have any protection plans in place and if so what are they?
I do! I have a mortgage, so I have made sure that if either myself or my partner pass away, the mortgage is repaid to release the financial stress during the hard times.
I also have Critical Illness to help me financially during a serious illness.
Lastly, I have protected my income. Without my income, my partner would struggle to pay for all the bills and our expenditure, and even if he could, I wouldn’t feel good about putting pressure on him, especially if I needed him to help take care of me too. We both enjoy our lifestyle and spending time together and it is important for me to be able to maintain that.
What is your favourite tool to use with clients and how does it help them?
We use a tool called ‘Mortgage Brain’. I use it with clients as it gives them a visual representation of their mortgage. Anything from monthly payments, how much of the mortgage is paid off within a certain time, how much of an impact overpayment on your mortgage can make or working out the most cost-effective options for the clients to suit their needs.
What are your hopes for the future with your career?
I am working towards my qualifications to become a Financial Planner. Whilst I am a currently a Mortgage and Protection Adviser, I love to learn and want to be able to provide my clients personally with Holistic Financial Planning.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I really enjoy renovating and updating my home, I get a lot of amazing ideas and inspiration from my clients. I love spending time with my dogs too, Bronson and Bella. I enjoy taking them out on walks or just relaxing with them on the sofa.
How should clients get in contact with you?
I am in the Office in St Ives throughout the week. Clients can pop in the Office to see me, they can reach me via telephone on 01480 357100 or they can contact me via email or even LinkedIn.
