The Spectrum IFA Group

The Spectrum IFA Group is a financial planning business built around people who live abroad. It was established in January 2003 and now has more than 50 advisers and 12 regional offices across France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Malta. The Maltese company, The Spectrum IFA Group Limited, is based at Junction Business Centre in St Julian's, and it appears in our directories of pension advisors in Malta, financial advisors in Malta and mortgage advisors in Malta.

Who the group advises

The firm's clients are expatriates and foreign residents who have money, pensions or property in more than one country. A typical example given on the website is someone who works in Spain, moves to the UK, then retires to France and wants to keep their planning in place throughout. For British people moving to Malta, the appeal is similar: one adviser relationship that can follow you across borders rather than a fresh start with each move.

The advisers live permanently in the community where they work, so they know expatriate life and the financial rules of that country first hand. Its advisers are qualified, experienced and regulated, and some clients have worked with the same adviser for more than 15 years, which reflects the group's emphasis on continuing advice rather than a one-off sale. If an adviser retires or you relocate, the group can introduce another adviser in your new area.

What the advisers cover

The core services are retirement and pension planning, including QROPS, which are overseas pension transfer schemes used by some people leaving the UK. Alongside these the group arranges tax efficient investing, life assurance, estate and succession planning, mortgages, currency exchange, bank accounts, medical insurance and, where appropriate, wealth management. Across much of Europe, planning advice is delivered through tax efficient insurance contracts, which is why life assurance wrappers feature so often in the group's explanations. Advisers also stress that clients should stay involved in their own finances rather than hand everything to a bank, an investment manager or an adviser.

The group is independent. It has no corporate shareholders, so advisers can choose suitable products from a wide range of financial institutions. Premiums and contributions for products go directly to the institution, because the group does not run a client account. There is no charge for a consultation and no obligation to follow a recommendation; if you do act on one, commission is paid to the group and that is how your adviser is rewarded.

Regulation and the Malta office

The Maltese company is registered under company code C104229 and is an MFSA Authorised Person, with the identifier TSIG22387. The MFSA is Malta's financial services regulator. The wider group is a set of companies formed in several jurisdictions, each regulated locally, and the group's Client Charter sets out how it treats clients.

The group does not publish Maltese adviser names or a separate list of Malta only services, so the best way to find out what the St Julian's team can do for your own circumstances is to ask. Our overview of financial services in Malta explains how advisers, banks and insurers fit together, and other local firms include Blevins Franks and Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors.

Getting started

At the first appointment an adviser carries out a free, full review of your current financial situation. The group also offers free tax guides for several European countries and regular articles on topics such as moving pensions and investments when you change country. For wider background on a move, read our Malta tax guide for UK nationals and Malta relocation guide.

To begin, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to The Spectrum IFA Group.