How secret commissions erode trust

A retired person with a critical heart condition was tricked into putting ₹22 lakh into an insurance plan. 2 agents from a big insurance company pressured him for months. They quoted one amount, then sent a bond 5 times higher a month later. When he found out the loopholes and tried to withdraw, they confiscated his old policy and even threatened him. Now, his money is locked in a plan where if he surrenders the policy, he loses a significant value, something the agents didn’t even mention initially. The policy will run for 10 years…a period he isn’t even sure he’ll live to see. This is not one man’s tragedy. This is the reality of how families across India are mis-sold financial products. And that’s why people hesitate to consult professional financial advisors. If an advisor recommends a fund, term plan, or policy and says “Buy it only through me,” ask yourself: is it for your benefit… or their commission? That’s why I work on a fixed-fee fiduciary model. I may recommend a product, but you can buy it directly from the insurance company, mutual fund house, or online marketplace platform. No commissions. No hidden incentives. No pressure. Because one hidden incentive can wipe out years of trust. And no return… not even ₹1 crore… is worth that cost.

💥 The Ugly Truth About Regular Savings Plans in the Middle East 💥 It’s time this was said loudly and clearly: Too many commission-hungry salesmen are still preying on expats across the Middle East by flogging long-term Regular Savings Plans that are not fit for purpose. Here’s how it works: 👉 The plans are often sold with terms of 15, 20, or even 25 years, not because that’s what’s right for the client, but because the longer the term, the bigger the commission the salesman pockets upfront. 👉 From day one, huge charges are locked in to cover those commissions and “setup fees”, which means if you want to surrender early (and many do, once they realise what they’ve been sold)... 👉 You’ll walk away with very little, sometimes NOTHING, in the first few years. 👉 Even worse, these products are often pushed hardest at new arrivals to the region. Expats are unfamiliar with local practices, isolated from support networks, and unaware of the long-standing issues with the advice market in the area. For years, this practice has been allowed to thrive, and it’s one of the key reasons why so many expats now have little to no trust in the financial profession here. I've met countless people over the years with horror stories: ❌ Locked into unsuitable plans ❌ Punitive charges to access their own money ❌ Retirement savings decimated ❌ Trust shattered It’s time we called this out for what it is: ❌Sales, not advice❌ ❌Commission-driven selling. Not client-first planning❌ ✅ If you’re an expat here, PLEASE educate yourself before signing anything. ✅ If you’re unsure about a plan you’ve been offered, seek a second opinion. ✅ If it sounds too good to be true, or if you’re being pressured to sign for a long-term run. I’m committed to doing things differently: advice-first, fee-based, transparent. No product targets. No commissions. No lock-ins. We must rebuild trust in this profession, but it begins by exposing the bad actors and helping more people make informed choices. If you’ve been targeted by one of these plans or want a second opinion, feel free to message me. You don’t have to get trapped in one of these legacy products. #FinancialPlanning #MiddleEast #Expats #CommissionFree #AdviceFirst #FeeBasedPlanning #EthicalAdvice #ConsumerProtection

What if the finance holding your business back was never meant for your business in the first place? She’s a female founder with a fast-scaling, product-based business, one that depends on seasonal stock demands and sharp cash flow timing. When she approached a broker for finance, she trusted they’d guide her to the right solution. Instead, she was ushered into a five-year business loan with fixed monthly repayments. At first glance, it seemed like a quick win. But the truth is, she didn’t need long-term debt. She needed a revolving credit facility, something short-term, flexible, and responsive to the natural rhythms of her sales cycle. A financial solution that could grow with her turnover, not slow it down. The real damage? That rigid loan is now tying up her liquidity. The regular repayments are a drain on working capital, especially in low-demand periods. And the worst part? It was never fit for purpose. Why did this happen? Because the broker saw a commission opportunity. Placing a traditional loan was quick, easy, and profitable for them. But it’s left her carrying the long-term cost of someone else’s short-term gain. What should have been a revolving facility, drawn down only when needed and repaid early without penalty, became a financial straightjacket. This kind of short-sighted, transactional approach doesn’t just hinder growth; it erodes trust. Now, instead of doubling down during key growth cycles, she’s managing repayments she shouldn’t have had in the first place. Stock management has become a balancing act. Turnover is growing slower than it should. And the commitment to a long-term product is a daily reminder of the wrong advice. We’re now working with her to explore refinancing options and to plan future stock cycles with tools that match her actual business needs, tools that flex, evolve, and scale alongside her. Because this is bigger than one case. Women founders are being offered financial products that serve the system, not their vision. We’re here to change that. Finance isn’t just about access. It’s about alignment. And for women building businesses on their own terms, that alignment is non-negotiable. If you're unsure whether your current finance setup is helping or hindering your growth, let's talk. Get in touch and let's make sure your funding fits your future, not someone else’s commission model.