Financial Planning Institute offers Free financial planning advice for Knysna, George fire victims

In support of the Knysna, George and surrounding areas fire victims, the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) is activating the FPI Disaster Assistance Pro Bono Programme for a three-month period starting from 1 July 2017. In the case of the current disaster, this initiative will entail offering free financial planning advice to residents whose lives were devastated by the recent wildfires.

As the immediate focus of government and relief agencies shift from the immediacy of saving lives to that of recovery, so has the focus of those affected started shifting towards picking up the pieces and embarking on the painful journey of trying to return their lives to normalcy.

For those affected, recovery means several things, a key part of which is sorting out insurance claims and implementing financial strategies to help them recover in the medium and long-term. To help residents in and around these affected areas to manage the resulting changes in their personal and working lives and also rebuild their financial strength, FPI through its members, is offering free financial planning advice to those residents who haven’t yet had access to financial planners or cannot afford a financial planner.

Commenting on this, Godfrey Nti, CEO of FPI said “Many families have had their homes destroyed and their lives severely impacted by this disaster. We believe that financial planning is a key part of recovering from such a disaster.  We would therefore like to offer our support to help victims in the affected areas re-build their lives both near and long-term.”

“The FPI Disaster Assistance Pro Bono Programme serves to mobilise financial planning advice assistance to help communities in the event of a widespread disaster,” Nti added.

“Over 300 CFP^® professionals countrywide have responded to FPI’s call for action and agreed to volunteer their time, and expertise, in support of this initiative. We expect more members to join in the coming weeks and months,” says David Kop, CFP^®, Head: Public Policy and Consumer Affairs at FPI.

“Although participating members are offering their services on a pro bono basis, members are still bound by the FPI Code of Ethics and Practices Standards. As such the public can be assured that the advice delivered by members will be provided with the same duty of care and professionalism that members normally exercise,” adds Kop.

To be paired with an FPI volunteer near you and receive free financial planning advice, Southern Cape residents are encouraged to call 086 1000 FPI (374) or email help@fpi.co.za.