I was introduced to Joanne in early 2020 by my ex-colleague. Speaking with her before she left the firm, I had wondered aloud how she could make that decision to retire early, and while I had my existing investments, I never felt that I was doing enough to plan for my retirement. My ex-colleague was effusive in her praise of Joanne, so this got me curious.
Joanne helped me do a thorough assessment of my financial ratios, identifying areas where I was doing well, and other areas where my money could work harder for me (what she aptly called lazy money!). This led to a review of my investment and insurance portfolios and subsequent rebalance, which to my surprise that despite the COVID-19 situation, is giving me healthy returns. We continue to interact on a regular basis on new investment ideas, trends and opportunities, and also to review the portfolio – something that I appreciate. After all, work is busy enough as it is, and Joanne is my eyes and ears on an area that I don’t have the time for otherwise.
Yet Joanne never comes across as pushy. I feel that this is because she genuinely enjoys serving her clients, as is also evident in her reaching out to youth to educate them on financial management concepts. Proceeds from her book “Money Lessons from the Wlid” that is targeted for kids go to a charity that also benefits the youth. She passed me a copy in fact, that my daughter read with gusto.
Well, retirement is still some time away for me. I am still young and I love my work! But I sleep easy knowing that my money is working hard for me with Joanne’s help. I will encourage anyone in a similar situation to have a chat with Joanne.
– Mr Leong, 2020
A very down-to-earth individual and a subject matter expert..that was my first impression of Joanne back in 2015 when I attended her seminar on CPF related topics.
Looking for someone to review my existing insurance policies, I decided to approach Joanne since she has partnerships with not just one but several insurance companies.
After a few meetings with Joanne, I learnt that her wealth management expertise ranges from savings and insurance to investment and retirement plans. Based on my needs, she would provide the best options available in the market, patiently explaining each one for my comparison and decision making.
Since then, our family’s on-going financial journey with Joanne has been remarkable. She has definitely surpassed our expectation. She has shown integrity, sincerity, reliability and professionalism with high quality service. On another note, I am deeply impressed by her generosity to help the underprivileged.
I would like to thank Joanne for being a part of our lives. I will not hesitate to recommend her to anyone who needs financial advice.
– Yu LC, June 2020
I was very impressed with Joanne after attending a talk conducted at MINDEF in 2018. I was pretty concerned about my retirement and whether I will be able to achieve all my goals. I always longed to have a professional financial adviser who is capable of analysing both the fundamentals and the technical analysis of public listed companies that are doing well. However, it was not easy.
After meeting Joanne for a few sessions, she helped me to ease my burden of having to do all the investments on my own and she helped me to be less emotional about my holdings, especially during these few years when the equity markets are highly volatile. Despite the volatile markets, she still managed to help me to pick investments which have returned double digit returns over the past few years.
I am very thankful to have found her expertise and she helped me to not only plan for my retirement, but also to help me to do a multi-generational plan for my younger kids. I am very happy with the customised Private ATM which is tailored to my needs.
She also kindly updates me on the progress of all my investments so that I am relieved of the burden of checking them regularly on my own. Joanne is a rare find and her competence is something that attracts a lot of people to her. I wish that I have known her much earlier so that I would not have spent a lot of money on the wrong investments. It is tough to navigate the markets alone so having a professional to work with, is definitely a huge blessing.
– Timothy Ng, June 2020
On Being Financial Educator and Consultant
Joanne has been a great advisor and tremendous help over these years in reorganising and restrategising my personal financial matters, and thereafter seeing them through its implementation. I am happy to say that I am in a much better and assured place of financial health today, thanks to Joanne’s dedication, excellence and competence.
Walking the journey with her has also given me a chance to peek into her personal beliefs and practices, and I am greatly encouraged to see a professional who also ‘walks what she talks’ consistently and diligently. Her generous heart in supporting the underprivileged, and passion to equip every person with financial education warms my heart.
I was hardly surprised to later find out she had bagged a spot in the 2019 World’s Top 1% Financial Planners List – my heartiest congratulations goes to her, and her team in ACTS-tensive Wealth! They truly are a different breed of financial educators and planners, that I believe would add value to anyone today!
– Rosa, June 2020
Joanne is a trusted advisor who puts the interests of her clients as the top priority. She has helped us to make sound and rewarding financial and insurance investments through the years which has provided us with peace of mind. Her patience and wise counsel are very much appreciated as we navigate through multiple investments and insurance options. Beyond providing astute judgment, Joanne’s passion in improving financial literacy for the disadvantaged, underprivileged and the wider audience out there is admirable. Many, including us, have benefitted greatly from the Acts-tensive webinar sessions which she and her team put together.
– Hanlong & Cathy, June 2020
I got to know Joanne through a close friend in 2018. At that point, I was desperately looking for an answer to when I can “retire” comfortably. Joanne was kind enough to give me a timeslot despite her busy schedule. Within days after the initial meeting, she was able to draw out a customised Private ATM which involves a series of plans which met my financial objectives. She patiently walked through every single plan with me, highlighting the differences between them whilst leaving the final decision to me. She helped me to retire 10 years earlier than I originally expected and I felt so much more relaxed and confident after knowing that my retirement is secure.
Joanne is a very professional and competent financial advisor. She also has a caring heart for the underprivileged, teaching them financial literacy and creating opportunities for them to achieve financial wellness. I have truly benefited from my relationship with Joanne and have recommended her to my friends who were looking for someone as capable as her. All of them were impressed with her professionalism and competency.
– Zenna, June 2020
I am a retiree who need to grow my money and my friend recommended Joanne to me. After assessing my needs and expectations, Joanne was able to draw a plan to meet my objective. She is not “pushy” in her approach and has my interest at heart in her suggestions as to what financial instruments would be suitable for me. With that, I have been coming back to her when I wanted to expand my portfolio.
I am very happy to have Joanne Lai as my Financial Advisor and have peace of mind leaving my portfolio in her hands to manage. Despite covid19 situation my portfolio continues to profit.
I recommended Joanne to my son so that he can be a good steward of his finances. With Joanne’s advice he put his money into investments which are a good fit for him and they are yielding profitable returns.
Joanne is very professional and competent in her area of expertise and I will recommend her to anyone that’s looking for a Financial Advisor.
– Evelyn Low, June 2020
I was referred to Joanne in 2012 by one of my colleagues in my bank and he spoke highly of her. I just got back from Hong Kong after an overseas posting and I didn’t have time to sort out all my finances as I was very busy at work. Joanne came at the right time as I was wondering if my Insurances were sufficient and I was wondering if there was a person who could help me with all the comparisons of plans and cover all the housing loans and critical illness plans. She efficiently explained everything in 3 scenarios and it was simple for me to understand and she helped me to sort out everything in just 2-3 meetings. She has also helped me to save a lot of taxes and also grow my money in annuities, funds, for short term, medium term and Long term goals. She helped me to design my very own bespoke Private ATM which will pay me during my retirement years. In terms of payouts from returns for annuities alone would be approx a six figure amount of gains.
She makes it a point to meet me on a yearly basis to find out how I am and she will patiently run through all my budgeting, cashflow and net worth and plans to Ensure that I still remember them. I also got her to help me with my will and estate planning. I really enjoy talking to her as she is very genuine and sincere and she takes time to find out more about my life. She understands her products at her fingertips and she is one person you would want to meet to ensure that your finances are sorted out well. I have since recommended my friends and family to her and she never fails to impress them. I’m fortunate to have her as my financial adviser.
– Marie Goh, Forex Banker
We got to know about IPP from a talk that was conducted as part of a parenting workshop in KK Hospital. We felt that what we needed was an independent financial advisor who would be objective and mindful of our financial needs as a new family. So we made an appointment with representatives of IPP and were not disappointed with the outcome.
Joanne was very sincere and attentive to our needs and questions. She was also very professional in their approach and this was demonstrated when she analysed our financial needs in a detailed manner and suggested possible actions to take. She was objective without being too biased to any particular product. She was also focused on helping us in planning our finances rather than hard selling products to us. For this reason, we felt that they had our interests at heart rather than personal interest.
We were happy with her advice and services, and our meeting with her served to confirm that we were over insured for one of our existing products, and this gave us the peace of mind on the follow up action required for the product.
We highly recommend IPP and Joanne for the professional approach & good customer service.
– KK Hospital Parenting Workshop Couple
说认识Joanne是我们人生中－个重要的转捩点其实一点也不夸张。我们当时刚开始组织家庭，对财务规划算是－窍不通。无论是储蓄、保险、投资、贷款，她都毫不保留地给我们精准地分析及提供咨询服务。更令人佩服的是她完全发挥了取诸社会、用诸社会的精神，在繁忙的工作之余也尽力为大众效劳；弱势群体，青少年组织，宗教团体，都有从她的贡献而受惠。真的是由心底地佩服，赞！
– Mr & Mrs Huang, Civil servant
Joanne has been my financial adviser since 2010 and she impresses me with her financial knowledge and her ability to breakdown all my financial goals into achievable goals like children’s education, retirement, annuities, Srs, insurance, will writing and estate planning.
She managed to help us to filter out the news in the investment world and to explain to me in a simple way.
She is able to navigate our investments and helped us to make consistent profits despite the increased volatility in the market. She has a good strategy and helps us to maintain a perspective of things and tells us when to take profits and stay invested.I have met many financial advisers in the past, but she deserves a higher praise because she works very hard and portrays sincerity and dedication in helping us. My Wife and myself have referred her to many of our relatives and colleagues as we are confident that she can help them to reach the next level of financial wellness by following her advice. Those who have met her have also referred their friends and colleagues to her as they are also impressed with her.
– Mr Tan
I was introduced to Joanne through a talk that she conducted at my company in year 2012. Before I met her, I had a financial planner who was my insurance agent and had become a friend over time. However I felt that most of my policies were with the same insurance company and after more than 10 years, I needed to have another independent review of my portfolio so that I can have the peace of mind that my coverage was sufficient and I could retire well. Joanne was meticulous and during our first meeting, Joanne ensured she fully understood my risk appetite, and my future family and life goals in order to design my bespoke Private ATM. She took into consideration that I would like to own a second property and subsequently advised me on the home loan options available in the market. My bespoke Private ATM was adjusted to reflect the right balance of liquid cash to hold, the right mix of annuities for a guaranteed stream of income and rental from my property and investments. Joanne is passionate about her work and she displays a high level of competence and commitment, and she is very knowledgeable in financial planning. She is also well-versed in legacy and estate planning and the LPA. I greatly appreciate the promptness of her service and her ability to build my bespoke Private ATM for me. Now I have a better understanding of my portfolio, and greater peace of mind for my finances. Many thanks to Joanne for her help. I highly recommended Joanne due to her professionalism!
– Ms R Yeo
Joanne adopts a holistic approach in managing my finances. She is highly efficient, dedicated, thorough and patient throughout the consultations. Her ‘Private ATM’ ideology gives me the assurance that I have my retirement covered.
Joanne & ACTS Advisory Group (IPPFA) provide me with a plethora of options whether it is insurance or savings plans. I feel that it is highly beneficial in terms of choosing the most optimal plan for me.
– Tay Wei Jin Daryl
Joanne is very knowledgeable and approachable throughout the whole process of consultation. She displays clear principles on investment and financial planning which helps me to have a clearer understanding on the why and what to invest in. Joanne has a wealth of experience and shows many examples of different portfolios that have done well, which inspires confidence in having her as my financial advisor.
– Chen Jiaying
I was referred by my friend to Joanne and I really enjoy her financial advice since 2013. She is very professional and knowledgeable on financial planning. She is very friendly, helpful, efficient in her work and most importantly she used very simple explanation to let me understand clearly what I need. She is very resourceful and always gives me the best deal! I feel very comfortable talking to her. If you are looking for a competent financial adviser, I strongly recommend Joanne.
– Kathy Chan, Admin
Joanne is highly enthusiastic and sincere on her field, sleeping less than 2hrs a day, her priority is always helping poor people (…like me) to establish and achieving a more efficient financial profile. She studied all the packages in existing market, the best thing is, she provides very neutral advise and good options.
One very important rule of thumb that Joanne has shared with me and my wife during our initial meet up, protection-investment-will, which I found very true and essential. Luckily we kick started the protection few months earlier, else we’d have to fork out our baby’s hospitalization from our hard earn salary.
Thanks to Joanne’s recommendation, now we’re on our 2nd phase – investment, getting rid of lazy monies and hopefully to build up our financial status.
Highly recommended!!
– Leow Yon Kit, Senior Test Engineer
I got Joanne to help me with my financial planning since 2012. She is able to size up my situation very quickly.
She took time to carefully explain my current financial status, helped me to understand my spending and saving habits and worked out a plan for me that will help me to manage my finances better.
I must say that now I have a better understanding of my own finances and is able to save and plan appropriately for my future years. Where I have missed out on shoring up for the years to come, bases are starting to build up. Spending habits have changed for the better.
Now where I am beginning to see savings, Joanne also helped me to put my money to work harder for me so that at least I need not struggle with futile efforts at going against the ever daunting inflation.
Joanne also advised that I have to be properly covered for any unforeseen medical expenses and/or medical costs that builds as one ages. At first, I doubted the necessity of such a plan since I’m since healthy and have no family history of any major illnesses. However, it’s really a good thing I decided to get the cover because since then, true enough I racked up 2 major hospital bills that were totally unexpected. Thankfully, I was completely covered and need not pay anything much. For that, I’m thankful for the sound and wise advice. I need to add that her services are really excellent. There’s a personal touch to her advice and all my claims were processed very quickly. Kudos to her and her team!
– Chew May Hoong, Senior Architectural Project Coordinator
Joanne is my financial advisor since 2009. She have demonstrated high degree of professionalism while always being a very competent advisor. So far, she have help me a lot in the investments , providing adequate advise for investment and ensuring i have the right mix for insurance coverage , investments and plan for retirement.
– Tan Siew Eng, Senior IT Manager
Joanne is very patient and detailed in her approach in explaining the various financial products. She is helpful and willing to share. I like to meet her for my financial portfolio review and heed her advice on financial planning. I also find iFast system easy to use.
– Sebastian
Joanne is very patient in explaining the process of financial planning and the financial services she is able to provide. From my conversation with her, she displays great passion in financial and wealth management. She is also very open to share her own investment portfolio to prove her experience and expertise.
– Loh Wei Li, Director
Unlike other providers, Joanne is not naggy and not pushy in selling products. She gives me sufficient time to think and consider the plans that I need. Joanne is a client centric financial adviser who focus more on client’s needs instead of the company’s benefits. I have since recommended her to some of my friends and colleagues. Great Job!
– Dinah, Dental Executive