Glacier by Sanlam

by Hildegard Wilson, Head of Investment Solutions at Glacier by Sanlam

As we find ourselves firmly entrenched in the year 2024, there are four important things that we need to be aware of as investors as we plot our investment journey. While the political landscape, interest rates, international asset allocation and regulation seem daunting when we think about them, it would be foolhardy to ignore them as investors.

When it comes to retirement planning, the adage "the early bird catches the worm" holds true. Zaheer Bhikha, Executive Head of Product Development at Glacier by Sanlam, explains the importance of distinguishing your needs from your wants to ensure a comfortable retirement.

How do you build a successful investment practice? With more than 30 years’ experience in the investment industry, Kritz Coetzee, Regional Manager at Glacier by Sanlam, has some interesting observations and insights to share.

“Invest your money and forget about it, at the very least for five years – that’s how you achieve growth”, says Patrick Mathabeni, Senior Research and Investment Analyst at Glacier Research. He examines the Baillie Gifford Long-Term Global Growth Fund (accessible for investment via the Glacier Long Term Global Growth Feeder Fund, which is available on the Glacier platform), and how it rewards patient investors; those who have essential ingredients for investment growth – time and patience.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has had and will continue to have a profound impact on all facets of our society. The 21st century has been dubbed the digital era, or the fourth industrial revolution, and AI is the pinnacle of this time. 

At a recent Glacier event for intermediaries, Anton Swanepoel, financial industry expert, author
and director at Trusted Advisors, unpacked the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill and
how advisers should prepare their minds and practices for this industry-changing legislation. “Build
COFI into your practice, and not the other way around”, he says. “This means sharpening the
fundamentals that you already have in place”. A key point of COFI is regarding the issue of suitable
advice, and tied to that is knowing your client and determining their risk profile.