Fund manager develops investor education tool


A fund manager and entertainment executive have teamed up to deliver educational videos for Australian investors with hopes of bridging the gap between consumer knowledge and complexity of products.
Managing director of Instreet Investment George Lucas and media, entertainment and online executive Phaedon Vass, who has 25 years experience with ABC, Foxtel and Macquarie Bank, have launched a video-based website called Wealth Know How.
Touted as Australia’s first independent video-based website focused on wealth creation and education, the site is intended as an essential educational resource for Australian investors.
The free service covers self-managed super funds (SMSFs), shares, property and managed funds, with plans to add banking, fixed interest products and broader market commentary in future.
Lucas believes the website will help address the gap in consumer knowledge regarding information that is not aligned with products, issuers or service providers.
“The focus will be on themes and issues (there will be no product endorsements), with an initial emphasis on SMSF trustees and DIY investors,” said Lucas.
Former editor of The Australian’s Wealth section James Dunn has written and presents the initial four series of videos, which Vass believes are an effective medium for educating investors.
“The challenge for investors going online is that much of the information available is fragmented, often heavily text-based, or is clearly aligned with issuers and or service providers. With the immense pressure on people’s time, video is the answer,” said Vass.
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