Apt Wealth Partners adds value to their advice with OFX

About Apt Wealth Partners

For over 20 years, Apt Wealth Partners has helped more than 3,000 clients achieve their financial goals through smart, tailored advice. With a team of 80+ professionals, including nearly 30 experienced advisers, Apt Wealth Partners manages in excess of $3 billion across client portfolios and superannuation assets.

As a privately owned firm, Apt Wealth Partners provides holistic financial advice to individuals with a wide range of personal and professional circumstances. Apt Wealth Partners’ strong partnership with OFX stems from its specialist division supporting clients, including individuals holding trusts and self-managed super funds, with their financial affairs, ensuring their wealth is strategically managed across borders for the best possible outcomes.

Wholeheartedly, I would refer OFX to other advisers in the industry.”

Toby Simpson – Senior Financial Adviser and UK Advice Specialist, Apt Wealth Partners

The problem

High-value transfers, high stakes

For Toby Simpson, Senior Financial Adviser and UK Advice Specialist and John Versace, Director and Head of Expat Services from Apt Wealth Partners, helping clients manage cross-border finances is as much about reassurance as it is about returns. The clients they work with often have complex global financial positions and primary concerns often revolve around security, cost and control.

Security and trust

Many clients transferring significant sums internationally have never converted money at that scale before, which makes security a big concern.

“When we’re talking about large sums of money that are sat in financial institutions or banks overseas and need to be converted, many clients won’t have used a service to convert currency of that level. One of their biggest concerns will be security. They don’t really know what options are available,” says Toby.

Cost transparency

A big challenge clients face is the lack of clarity around fees on FX transfers, particularly when providers aren’t transparent with pricing. “Really understanding what the cost is that they’re paying on the transfer – sometimes that isn’t very clear,” says John.

Clients want to ensure their money is safe and any transfers associated with moving funds are cost-effective.

Ease and reassurance

Beyond the numbers, clients value a simple process and the ability to speak directly with someone they trust. “Ease of use is really important. Making sure you’re not having to jump through too many hoops to actually arrange the transaction… but also reassurance. Making sure that they can speak to someone and have their questions answered quickly when they’re transferring funds is really important,” says John.

For Toby and John, addressing these pain points through trusted partnerships and effective FX solutions is critical to delivering the confidence, transparency and control their clients seek.

The solution

Trusted FX solutions for global clients

For Apt Wealth Partners’ clients moving significant sums, foreign exchange plays a critical role in achieving both cost efficiency and confidence. “We’re able to work with [OFX] on behalf of clients to ensure that the right services are put in place. It’s an important part of the jigsaw puzzle,” says Toby.

Through OFX, clients enjoy a straightforward experience from account setup to transaction. “It’s very, very straightforward. We get a very quick response, which is really helpful and the online application process is straightforward… That’s really just the tip of the iceberg,” explains Toby.

Competitive rates and tangible savings

Cost savings remain a standout benefit for financial advisers’ clients. “An important piece in the puzzle is that OFX offers an extremely competitive rate,” says Toby. ”We recently transferred ￡900,000 GBP to AUD and saved between $20,000 and $30,000 just by going with OFX rather than one of the big financial institutions.

“Clearly [OFX is] competitive… they would offer a rate that’s the same, if not better than other virtual currency houses. So there would be no reason on that basis not to use [OFX],” Toby adds.

Adviser alignment and specialist support

A shared understanding of adviser needs has helped Apt Wealth Partners integrate seamless FX management into their broader client service.
“Wholeheartedly, I would refer OFX to other advisers in the industry. I think the experience that [OFX has] had dealing with UK pension schemes, supporting us and documenting in the correct way that allows the transfer to happen is a massive positive. [OFX has] a very good understanding of how it works,” says Toby.

“It’s really easy for our clients to access the preferred rates. Instead of saying ‘go to the website and just register yourself’, we can introduce them to someone that we know and trust at OFX, which just gives a much more bespoke offering and that extra level of service and care that I think clients are looking for. That’s always been really well received and something we appreciate as part of the relationship,” says John.

“Referral partners are really a reflection of us and our services. It’s really important for us that referral partners carry across our service standards and that’s something that OFX has certainly done… it’s an excellent partnership,” John adds.

It’s really important for us that referral partners carry across our service standards and that’s something that OFX has certainly done… it’s an excellent partnership.

John Versace – Director and Head of Expat Services, Apt Wealth Partners

Adding value to financial advice with OFX

For Apt Wealth Partners, partnering with OFX extends beyond facilitating currency transfers. It strengthens their overall client proposition. “The biggest benefit we see in our relationship with OFX is the assurance that this significant aspect of our clients’ affairs – especially those with cross-border assets – is handled cost-effectively, efficiently and through a reputable firm. Anytime you work with an external party, it’s important the service reflects the quality of your own, so clients feel confident and speak positively about it. This has always been the case for us with OFX,” says John.

“Being able to coordinate this part of a client’s affairs really adds to our relationship. When it’s done well, it becomes an extra string to our bow, allowing us to make sure everything is looked after financially with a trusted partner. This aspect has been really important for us, and we believe many other advisers benefit from the same,” John adds.

By supporting adviser relationships with trusted FX expertise, OFX helps firms like Apt Wealth Partners deliver greater value, deepen client trust and ensure a smoother experience for clients navigating the complexities of global finances.