It’s completely understandable to ask, “How can I trust you” or to be more specific “How can I trust you to manage or advise on my investments?” When it comes to your hard-earned money, trust isn’t a given; it must be earned, proven, and maintained over time. In today’s article, Sinead Clinton Caldas, Director of Compliance at Metis Ireland, will break down some of the key defining factors. In Part Two, you will learn more about how we with other companies.
“At Metis Ireland, we welcome this question because we believe transparency, regulation, and long-term client relationships are the foundation of everything we do.” Sinead Clinton Caldas – Director of Compliance.
We Put Your Interests First
Every client has unique goals, dreams, and aspirations and have different time horizons. We don’t push products. Instead, we conduct a full financial fact-find, taking time to understand your personal circumstances, and make tailored recommendations that suit you, not us, this is your Metis LifePlan and is specific to you and your family.
We’re proud to follow a fee transparency model, meaning we clearly explain how we’re compensated, whether via fees, commission, or a mix of both, so you can decide what feels right, and we will never base a recommendation on how much we can earn; what is best for you and your family comes first.
Our criteria for choosing the best provider and product for our clients are;
- Investment Philosophy fit
- Service Levels
- Value
- Expertise, track record, and reputation
If we are not satisfied that a provider or product will meet our criteria we won’t recommend them, and we won’t be swayed by any fancy marketing or offers.
We’re Regulated and Authorised
As an investment intermediary operating in Ireland, we are fully authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. This means we must comply with strict codes of conduct, ethical standards, and reporting requirements. We are also obliged to act in your best interests – that’s not just our policy, it’s the law.
You Have Legal Protections
When you work with a regulated intermediary, you are protected by:
- Investor Compensation Scheme: This scheme protects clients if a firm fails financially and was set up to provide a level of protection for investors in circumstances where fraud or insolvency results in an investment firm’s inability to return investment instruments or money to investors.
- Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO): An independent body that investigates complaints and ensures fair treatment.
- Client Asset Regulations (CAR): These are strict rules governing how your money is held.
In other words, there are checks, balances, and safeguards in place at every stage.
How We Keep Your Money Safe
“Is my money safe with Metis Ireland?” is a question often posed, and the simple answer is Yes. While we cannot control the markets or market volatility (your investments can go down as well as up), evidence tells us that in the long-term, markets do go up. What we can control is how we at Metis Ireland behave to ensure we keep your trust and perform due diligence on the companies we recommend for your investments.
Here’s how we ensure the safety of your money:
- We never personally touch your money. Metis Ireland never receives your money; your funds never rest in our account. Your money always goes directly to the insurance or investment platform company. This significantly reduces risk and touchpoints.
- Annual external audits. An external auditor audits our accounts annually. These findings are then reported annually to the Central Bank of Ireland for review to ensure that Metis Ireland is financially stable and not putting our clients at risk.
- We pay into the Investor Compensation Fund. This fund was set up to afford eligible investors some degree of financial compensation if an authorised firm fails and investors lose funds.
- We are insured to protect our clients should we fail in our objective to go above and beyond.
- Rigorous due diligence on recommended companies. Our investment, preferred provider, and risk teams meet quarterly to ensure that any company or product we recommend matches our investment philosophy and meets our requirements for security.
- Strong Governance. We take governance very seriously, with our Head of Compliance and Head of Finance ensuring all business decisions are made with the client at the centre and that all regulations and legislation are adhered to.
We’re In This for the Long Haul
Many of our clients and client families have been with us for years, some for decades. Why? Because we don’t just help them invest; we help them plan their futures. Retirement, family planning, education, inheritance, succession planning, it’s all part of the journey. We believe in building lifelong partnerships, not chasing quick wins. We work very hard to make sure that Metis Ireland is synonymous with trust, by being open, honest and truthful. Indeed, point 6 in our contract with you states, “We will tell you the truth about your money. This may sometimes mean delivering unpleasant truths as we believe comforting lies are pointless”.
Don’t Take Our Word for It—Do Your Homework
We actively encourage potential clients to:
- Check our regulatory status on the Central Bank of Ireland’s register.
- Ask for references or testimonials.
- Compare us with other intermediaries.
- Ask us any question—and expect a clear, jargon-free answer.
Final Thoughts
In finance, trust isn’t built overnight. It’s earned over time through honesty, competence, and consistent care. So, if you’re asking “How can I trust you?”, know this: You should ask that question—and keep asking it until you’re satisfied with the answers. We’re here to answer every one of them.
What next?
I hope the above has helped answer any questions you have about trust. If you want to know more, our team are here and happy to answer any of your questions. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01 908 1500 or email us at info@metisireland.ie.
Sinéad Clinton Caldas
Director, Head of Compliance
Disclaimer
Metis Ireland Financial Planning Ltd t/a Metis Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
All content provided in these blog posts is intended for information purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. You should always engage the services of a fully qualified financial adviser before entering any financial contract. Metis Ireland Financial Planning Ltd t/a Metis Ireland will not be held responsible for any actions taken as a result of reading these blog posts.
