NAB has joined with Deakin University through the Deakin Business School, DeakinPrime and DeakinDigital, to offer its advisers greater access to research and continued education, as part of its commitment to increasing professional standards in the financial planning industry.
NAB’s Executive General Manager, Wealth Advice, Greg Miller, explained that today’s announcement allows advisers across NAB’s whole network the opportunity to tap into the skills, services and resources of one of Australia’s leaders of higher education.
“We support advisers to continue their education,” Mr Miller said.
“This new agreement with Deakin will provide our advisers with access to research into changes in the financial planning profession and the changing needs of consumers.
“Both undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be available, with advisers able to study online or face-to-face depending on the course.”
The agreement will give advisers the ability to access a group discount on all course fees for units in a range of programs, including the Master of Financial Planning and Master of Professional Practice.
Simon Hann, CEO DeakinPrime and DeakinDigital suggests that the collaboration further strengthens the University’s position to help those in the industry facing change, explaining that, “it offers an effective solution to thousands across the country in need of support, to ensure the security of their careers and to enhance the service they provide to their customers.”
Mr Miller said by providing access to this kind of professional development, NAB will enable advisers to provide even better advice and outcomes for customers – and build customer confidence in the industry.
“This initiative is another demonstration of NAB’s commitment to increasing professional standards, adding to our continuing focus on increasing adviser education levels and requiring all advisers across our network to be members of a professional association,” Mr Miller said.
“We believe ethics is critical to the ongoing professionalism of the industry and should be incorporated through professional learning as well as within ethical codes and processes of professional bodies.”
Background
In 2014, NAB announced enhanced education standards to our network. This involved increasing minimum education qualifications above the current industry standard of RG146.
We are progressing towards these standards across the network with all advisers required to either hold or be completing higher level qualifications such as the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, undergraduate degrees or postgraduate qualifications or designations relevant to financial planning.
Through the relationship with Deakin University, our network of advisers will be able to access the following courses:
- Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning)
- Postgraduate
- Master of Financial Planning (including Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning)
- Master of Professional Practice (Financial Planning)
About NAB Wealth
NAB Wealth, incorporating MLC, is National Australia Bank’s wealth management division. NAB is committed to providing investment, superannuation, insurance and financial advice to our corporate, institutional and retail customers. We have one of the largest financial planning networks in Australia, providing quality financial advice, insights and expertise through NAB Financial Planning, MLC Financial Planning, MLC Advice, Godfrey Pembroke, Garvan Financial Planning, Apogee Financial Planning, Meritum and JBWere.
About Deakin University
Deakin University is in the top three per cent of universities across all three of the major international university ranking systems and is ranked in the world’s top 50 universities under 50 years of age. Deakin has a proud history of financial planning education with campuses located in Burwood (Melbourne), Geelong Waterfront, together with a strong online presence. The Deakin Business School was recently accredited by AACSB International.
