Risk-focused financial advisers remain optimistic about the outlook for themselves and their practices despite the changes facing the industry, according to a Zurich Financial Services Australia survey.
Overall risk adviser sentiment was calculated at 4.5 out of 7, or 'moderately positive', according to the survey of 300 risk advisers conducted by Beaton Research and Consulting.
Respondents were asked to rate their sentiment out of seven across five key areas: consumer demand for advised life insurance; the financial adviser's current sales volume; the regulatory environment; likely sales volume for next quarter; and the long-term viability of their practice.
Colin Morgan, chief executive of Zurich's Australian Life and Investments business, said the results show that: "despite facing stagnant financial markets, low consumer sentiment and remaining uncertainty around [Future of Financial Advice reforms], risk advisers are looking forward with optimism to the opportunities that 2012 may bring.
"It's reassuring to know that with our underinsurance problem still so large, risk advisers remain enthusiastic and motivated to keep providing quality financial advice and insurance protection to Australian families" he said.
Dr Jelena Dodic, account director at Beaton Research and Consulting, said despite the overall negative sentiment in terms of the current regulatory environment, advisers are looking beyond the short-term and remain positive about the long-term viability of their practice.
