While many IFAs chose to leave this business in the last 5 years consequent to regulatory changes and market volatility, some young brave hearts did the opposite : they actually chose to set up financial advisory practices in these difficult times. Some of these brave hearts have gone on in the last couple of years to make a mark for themselves in their markets, not just in terms of business volumes, but very importantly, by focussing on doing the right thing for their clients. They represent the GenNext for the IFA fraternity - young, confident, very focussed and very client-centric. Wealth Forum felicitated 4 such emerging advisors at the 4th annual Wealth Forum Platinum Circle Advisors Conference, on 26th July 2013. Partnering Wealth Forum in this initiative is SBI Mutual Fund, which presented the 2013 awards.

Mr. Deepak Kumar Chatterjee, MD & CEO, SBI Mutual Fund said, "We are very happy to be associating with Wealth Forum in this initiative of identifying and recognising young talent in the distribution business, through the medium of these awards. Youth always bring in new ideas and new vigour that helps everybody work towards raising the bar in any business or profession. We hope that these awards motivate many more young professionals to take up the distribution business and serve many more investors well in the years to come.'"

The Rising Stars of 2013.....

Our first winner set up his firm in 2008 and in the last 4 years, has already crossed an overall AuM of 200 crores, of which mutual funds are around 50 crores. At just 27 years of age, he has already become a noted IFA in Kolkata. Keen adoption of new technologies to serve clients better, together with a sharp focus on some under-served market segments especially the semi-institutional space are two facets that set him apart from others.

Wealth Forum Emerging Advisor, 2013 : Abhenav Khettry, Vyana Wealth, Kolkata.

Abhenav Khettry receives his award from Mr. Deepak Kumar Chatterjee, MD & CEO, SBI MF, Mr. D.P.Singh, ED & CMO, SBI MF and Mr. Manoj Sinha, Head of IFA Channel, SBI MF

Click Here to see Abhenav's Advisor Speak article

Our second winner started out selling CDs for pocket money, then moved on to selling credit cards as a job before graduating to a wealth RM job at HSBC. In 2008, he quit the bank to set up an IFA practice that is rooted firmly in being ethically upright and honest and named his firm accordingly. In the last 4 years, he has built up a robust mutual funds AuM base of over Rs. 65 crores and has total assets under advice of over Rs. 85 crores. His focus has been NRI clients although in recent years, he has also been serving domestic clients. He operates primarily in the HNI segment and serves more than 140 clients. He is known within the Pune MF community as an upholder of high ethical standards in his practice.

Wealth Forum Emerging Advisor, 2013 : Mehran Felfeli, Ethix, Pune.

Mehran Felfeli receives his award from Mr. Deepak Kumar Chatterjee, MD & CEO, SBI MF, Mr. D.P.Singh, ED & CMO, SBI MF and Mr. Manoj Sinha, Head of IFA Channel, SBI MF

Click Here to see Mehran's Advisor Speak article

Our third emerging star moved out from an AMC sales job 2 years ago to lead the growth of an advisory firm that his brother set up 4 years ago. He chose the most competitive segment - mass affluent clients in Mumbai, since his brand of right selling, he believed was most likely to be best received here. Together with his brothers, he expanded into Kolkata and Assam as well. His firm today has already built a base of over 300 clients, with a mutual fund AuM of over 30 crores and overall assets in excess of 50 crores. His sharp acumen sees him winning 80% of new clients in the first meeting itself.

Wealth Forum Emerging Advisor, 2013 : Gajendra Kothari, Etica Wealth, Mumbai

Gajendra and Nikhil Kothari receive their award from Mr. Deepak Kumar Chatterjee, MD & CEO, SBI MF, Mr. D.P.Singh, ED & CMO, SBI MF and Mr. Manoj Sinha, Head of IFA Channel, SBI MF

Click Here to see Gajendra's Advisor Speak article

Our fourth winner - is actually four winners. Four young partners - all around 28 years of age, are making a big mark in their small city in Chattisgarh. In its 3rd year of business, their firm has already notched up over 1900 live SIPs. Their route to success : first ensure that clients understand the concept behind any investment they make, only then offer them the product. With SIP numbers that are leaving many established players from bigger cities far behind, the emerging stars from Bhilai :

Wealth Forum Emerging Advisor, 2013 : Omega Financial, Bhilai

Ziauddin, Jay and Krishna receive their award from Mr. Deepak Kumar Chatterjee, MD & CEO, SBI MF, Mr. D.P.Singh, ED & CMO, SBI MF and Mr. Manoj Sinha, Head of IFA Channel, SBI MF

Click Here to see Ziauddin's Advisor Speak article

Ziauddin Khan of Omega Financial, Bhilai recounted the story of Kodak Corp - once a giant in its field with a market cap of US$ 90 Bn, which is now in the throes of bankruptcy - only because it refused to adapt to change. There is a lesson for all of us in Kodak's story, said Zia - change in inevitable and smart entrepreneurs sense change and adapt quickly to it. He urged all IFAs in the country to embrace change and emerge stronger rather than trying to fight change.

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