Why expert financial advice is the smartest investment you’ll ever make
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” This timeless Chinese proverb captures a profound truth about financial planning: while we can’t reclaim lost time, we can seize the present moment to secure our future.
At Standard Bank Private, we understand that wealth creation extends far beyond selecting investments. What is needed is a crafted, comprehensive financial strategy that aligns with your unique goals, family aspirations, and personal values. This is where professional financial advice proves invaluable.
The power of integration
Many individuals believe that wealth management is about choosing the right investments. In reality, investment selection is just one piece of a complex puzzle. A skilled financial advisor takes an integrated approach that considers your complete financial picture: tax optimisation, estate planning, risk management, retirement strategy, and legacy goals, all working together within your investment portfolio.
This holistic approach ensures you’re not simply investing in suitable products, but deploying the most appropriate financial solutions for your personal circumstances. It is the difference between owning quality tools and knowing exactly how to use them to build something extraordinary.
Why starting now matters
At the heart of wealth creation lies the exponential power of compound returns. Consider a simple yet profound example: redirecting a daily coffee amount of R40 into a well-structured investment solution. Using a growth rate of 12% per annum for illustrative purposes, that daily R40 could potentially accumulate to over R250,000 within 10 years, surpass R1 million within 20 years, and grow to over R3.5 million within 30 years. (These figures are illustrative examples using assumed growth rates for calculation purposes only and do not represent guaranteed returns.)
This accumulation shows why starting now matters – and why having an advisor to help you maintain discipline through market cycles is invaluable.
Why professional guidance makes a difference
Human psychology often works against our best interests as investors. Research shows individuals exhibit behavioural biases that can erode returns: panic selling during sudden downturns, chasing performance at market peaks, and attempting to time the market – strategies that prove remarkably difficult to execute successfully.
A good financial advisor is like a personal coach who keeps you focused on your long-term goals, especially when markets get rocky. They are there to talk you off the ledge when you’re tempted to make emotional decisions, while also helping you to adapt your financial plan as your life changes. Beyond the psychological support, they make sure you’re taking advantage of tax breaks, managing risk in a way that lets you sleep easy at night, and protecting your money from inflation eating away at it over time.
When it comes to growing your wealth over time, there’s really no getting around the need to invest in stocks. The numbers don’t lie – despite their ups and downs, stocks have consistently delivered better returns than other investments over the long haul. Your advisor’s job is to help you find the right balance of stocks for your situation and give you the confidence to stick with your plan, even when the market slumps.
How we can help
At Standard Bank Private, we bring together financial planning and investment management in one place. Our advisors work with you to build strategies tailored to your situation – whether that’s optimising your retirement contributions, planning for tax efficiency, or structuring your estate.
We combine personalised guidance with access to Standard Bank Group’s resources, including a range of investment solutions and specialist investment capabilities, credit facilities, fiduciary services, and expertise in areas like offshore diversification and business succession.
If you’d like to explore how a more integrated approach could work for your wealth, we’re here for a conversation – no obligation, just an opportunity to discuss your goals and see if there’s a better way forward.
The journey begins now
Whether beginning your wealth creation journey or optimising an existing strategy, the path to enduring financial freedom starts with a purposeful step. The financial habits you cultivate today and the advisory relationships you build become the foundation of your financial future.
Choosing a financial advisor is deeply personal – it’s about trust, shared values, and confidence that your advisor truly understands your aspirations. We invite you to begin a conversation with our Private Banking team to explore how integrated financial advice, combined with proven investment expertise, can help achieve your most ambitious goals.
After all, while the best time to plant a tree may have been 20 years ago, the second-best time is now.
To begin your conversation with a Standard Bank Private financial advisor, please contact your private banker or visit standardbank.co.za/private.
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (''Standard Bank''), an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP number 11287) and registered credit provider (NCRCP15). The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Reg. No. 1962/000738/06) Any information, illustrative examples, or calculations provided have been prepared using assumptions and parameters that reflect good faith determinations by Standard Bank and do not constitute advice by Standard Bank. It should not be relied upon as such. Illustrative growth rates are used for calculation purposes only and do not represent guaranteed returns. The information, assumptions and parameters used are not the only ones that might reasonably have been selected and therefore no guarantee is given as to the accuracy, completeness, or reasonableness of any such information, quotations, or calculations. The past performance of any securities or other products is not an indication of future performance. Actual investment returns will vary based on market conditions, investment selection, fees, and individual circumstances. No representation or warranty is made that any indicative performance or return indicated will be achieved in the future.