Is Financial Advice a Scam in 2025? Yes! And No.
17th January 2025
The term “financial advice” often sparks skepticism—and for good reason. In 2025, many so-called “financial advisors” continue to act as little more than brokers, pushing products onto clients with the sole aim of earning commissions. These individuals often focus on uncovering a need—not to serve the client’s long-term interests, but to open up an opportunity to sell something. In this sense, yes, financial advice can feel like a scam.
But there’s another side to this story. True Wealth Managers and Financial Planners offer something far more valuable than just selling products or picking investments. This distinction is critical, especially in today’s complex financial world. It’s why we don’t even use the term “Financial Advice” to describe what we do at Brigantia.
But there’s another side to this story. True Wealth Managers and Financial Planners offer something far more valuable than just selling products or picking investments. This distinction is critical, especially in today’s complex financial world. It’s why we don’t even use the term “Financial Advice” to describe what we do at Brigantia.
What Real Financial Planning Looks Like in 2025
At Brigantia, our services go far beyond simply selling investments. Wealth management is about creating a long-term plan that aligns with your life goals. Here’s what that entails:
Cashflow Modelling as a Foundation
At Brigantia, our services go far beyond simply selling investments. Wealth management is about creating a long-term plan that aligns with your life goals. Here’s what that entails:
Cashflow Modelling as a Foundation
- Helping clients see how their finances will evolve over time, planning for major life events, and forecasting how decisions today will impact tomorrow.
- From funding your children’s education to planning for retirement or achieving financial independence, it’s about creating a clear roadmap.
- Addressing not just the obvious risks like market volatility but also less visible ones like unexpected health issues or regulatory changes in expat jurisdictions.
- Keeping clients disciplined during turbulent markets and ensuring decisions are grounded in strategy rather than reacting to short-term hype or panic.
Why International Markets are Still a Minefield
Unfortunately, this forward-thinking approach is often missing in international markets. Many so-called “advisors” in expat hubs like Thailand are unqualified, unregulated, and solely focused on earning commissions. This leads to:
High-Charging Products:
Thailand, in particular, has seen some of the worst practices in the industry, with expats frequently falling victim to abysmal advice standards. Many have been left with poorly performing investments, excessive charges, or, in the worst cases, total financial loss.
Unfortunately, this forward-thinking approach is often missing in international markets. Many so-called “advisors” in expat hubs like Thailand are unqualified, unregulated, and solely focused on earning commissions. This leads to:
High-Charging Products:
- Expats are often sold investment products with exorbitant fees that severely eat into their returns.
- Risky, unsuitable investments are pushed onto unsuspecting clients, often resulting in significant losses.
- Advisors chase short-term gains for themselves, with little regard for the long-term outcomes for their clients.
Thailand, in particular, has seen some of the worst practices in the industry, with expats frequently falling victim to abysmal advice standards. Many have been left with poorly performing investments, excessive charges, or, in the worst cases, total financial loss.
The Verdict: Is Financial Advice a Scam?
In many cases, yes, financial advice can feel like a scam in 2025—especially in markets where regulation and qualifications are lacking. If your “advisor” is more focused on what they can sell you than on your long-term wellbeing, it’s time to walk away.
But real Wealth Managers and Financial Planners, like those at Brigantia, are a different breed. We focus on the bigger picture: your life, your goals, and your future. We’re your strategic partner, here to guide you through life’s financial complexities—not some double-glazing salesman chasing commissions.
So, if you’re ready to move beyond the pitfalls of traditional “financial advice,” look for a properly qualified, regulated Wealth Manager who can help you build a robust plan for the future.
In many cases, yes, financial advice can feel like a scam in 2025—especially in markets where regulation and qualifications are lacking. If your “advisor” is more focused on what they can sell you than on your long-term wellbeing, it’s time to walk away.
But real Wealth Managers and Financial Planners, like those at Brigantia, are a different breed. We focus on the bigger picture: your life, your goals, and your future. We’re your strategic partner, here to guide you through life’s financial complexities—not some double-glazing salesman chasing commissions.
So, if you’re ready to move beyond the pitfalls of traditional “financial advice,” look for a properly qualified, regulated Wealth Manager who can help you build a robust plan for the future.