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Manx Financial Group: We’re Focused On Your Future
In uncertain times, it’s good to know that there are names you can rely on. While Manx Financial Group might not be a familiar name to everyone, the breadth of services provided by its subsidiaries has brought security, prosperity and peace of mind to individuals and businesses in the Isle of Man for many years. As the Group looks to the future ahead of the new financial year, we look at the role it has played in keeping the Island’s economy in good health.
Manx Financial Group, is the holding company of a diversified financial services group offering personal and corporate banking, wealth management, insurance, payment solutions, foreign exchange and general financial planning through its subsidiaries: Conister Bank, Edgewater Associates, Manx Financial and Manx FX.
Conister Bank is the best known and the longest established of the subsidiaries, having provided personal and business customers with a wide range of products and services since 1935. Through the years, the Bank has helped successive generations while continuing to diversify, achieving an excellent reputation for providing traditional service, excellence and innovative forward-thinking solutions. A recent example is the launch of the Bridging Finance product designed to help people navigate the property market.
Edgewater Associates, which became part of the Group in 2010, similarly meets the needs of both personal customers by offering retirement planning, wealth management, mortgages and insurance, and for corporate client’s business protection, group pension schemes and associated staff benefits and commercial insurance. Like Conister Bank, Edgewater has a longstanding base in Douglas, from which it offers a service noted for its responsiveness and attention to detail.
Manx Financial Group has achieved consistent growth over a number of years, allowing it to broaden its reach. Manx Foreign Exchange (MFX) was launched in 2014, with the aim of providing specialist foreign exchange and currency payment solutions. The company offers facilities to help small to medium sized enterprises grow their businesses in both UK and Isle of Man; it also extends access to the most competitive international payment facilities.
As a result, MFX has enjoyed a similar success as the other members of its family, its confidence mirroring that of its steadily growing body of customers, who find all their individual FX requirements met under the roof of one organisation.
While the functions of each Manx Financial Group subsidiary may be different, they are united by shared values: integrity, customer focus, teamwork and vision. Now with a staff of 107, the Group is resolute in upholding those values across the board, with the result that the reputation of the individual organisations, and the Group as a whole, goes from strength to strength. With an ever-expanding customer base, the Group is able to continue its commitment to the island’s economy, as indeed it has since its foundation.
Of course, organisations which are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service tend also to offer highly attractive environments for existing and prospective staff: where common goals are well-defined and maintained from the top down, positive team culture thrives.
Sandra Cardwell, Managing Director of Edgewater Associates, is proud of her team and very clear about what motivates them: “We are always looking to the future without losing sight of what matters to our clients in the present. Our aim at all times is to help them feel financially secure; this is always the priority for our team”.
Douglas Grant, Managing Director of Conister Bank and Director of MFX, agrees. “Providing the best customer service is at the heart of everything we do and every decision we take. This would not be achievable without our people, who are the backbone of our organisation.
We encourage everyone to develop their expertise, and are keen to see progression within the Group. Attracting and fostering talented, skilled individuals in turn allows us to continue to offer market expertise, economic strength and financial security. These are the core benefits for Manx Financial Group customers, and we are pleased to deliver this high level of service”.
Conister Bank sponsors 2019 Isle of Man Young Farmers Concert
Conister Bank has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Young Farmers Concert, reaffirming its commitment to the island’s agricultural community.
The concert, an exuberant blend of music, dance and comedy, is for many people the Isle of Man’s entertainment highlight of the year. Last year, enthusiasts began to queue outside the Welcome Centre hours before the tickets went on sale!
This will be the second year that Conister Bank has sponsored the concert. Young Farmers’ Federation Chairman Charlie Corkill commented, “We are delighted to have Conister onboard as our title sponsor. We are very fortunate in that we have never lacked sponsorship offers, however, Conister stood out as the best fit for the event as they have strong links with the agricultural sector”.
Conister Bank, which was founded in 1935, have a close affiliation to the island’s farming community, having long provided tailored financial assistance, for instance, livestock funding and asset finance, to both new and established concerns.
Andy Bass, Head of Sales (Isle of Man) says, “We are committed to being part of the agricultural sector on the Isle of Man. To understand its needs, it is really important to listen to voices from within that community.
There are many young people involved in agriculture who have the ambition and enthusiasm to build businesses, both those whose roots are firmly within the traditional sector and those looking to diversify.
Over the years, we have developed schemes designed to support the industry, which is so integral to the island’s economy and identity. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to providing products and services that allow the sector to grow. And we are very happy to return as the sponsor for this year’s Young Farmers concert. It will be great show”.
The Young Farmers in the Isle of Man are part of the UK-wide Federation, one of the largest organisations of its kind, with 612 clubs across England and Wales. In the Isle of Man, there are four clubs organised according to region: Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central.
To anyone interested in joining, the Young Farmers stress that you don’t have to come from an agricultural background: the organisation offers a wide range of activities and events, and welcomes anyone who loves to be outdoors, stay active, travel, meet new people, and generally live life to the full!
New Internal Promotion at Conister Bank
Conister Bank has appointed a new Sales Manager from within its Isle of Man Lending team, showing its commitment to recognising potential and facilitating career progression.
Lee Gale joined Conister Bank in June 2017, having previously worked for Isle of Man Bank for over seven years. Lee, 27, says, “In my career so far, I have developed strong relationships with personal and business customers around the island; I now hope to build on that, and introduce more people to the Conister products and services which can benefit their lives and businesses”.
In his new role, Lee will be a point of contact for many of the bank’s existing Introducers, and will play a key part in identifying and creating new lending opportunities within the retail business and commercial sectors. He will also implement and provide support for the bank’s new web portals for motor dealers and retail outlets, such as bike shops and furniture stores.
The multiple responsibilities of Sales Manager will play to Lee’s skills and strengths: “I put one hundred and ten per cent into everything I do; I have a very competitive nature and strive to be the best I can. Working at Conister has made me even hungrier to succeed, as they have supported me and given me the chance to progress quickly. I can’t speak highly enough about the company and my teammates. I have always enjoyed and taken pride in helping customers and delivering excellent service, which is what Conister is known and respected for, so I’m right at home here”.
Outside work, Lee, who grew up in Foxdale and now lives there with his partner Emma, is “passionate about family, friends and football”. He plays for both Peel AFC and the Isle of Man National Team with such distinction that he has won a number of awards, including the Isle of Man Football Association’s Player of the Year (twice in three seasons) and the Isle of Man Football Writers’ Player of the Year. In work and on the pitch, Lee’s drive and dedication have paid off.
Andy Bass, Conister Bank’s Isle of Man Head of Sales, comments, “Lee’s promotion to Sales Manager is reward for his hard work and commitment to Conister during a period of growth for the bank on the Isle of Man. It further reflects our clear vision to invest in our staff and support their career development. I believe that Lee’s likeability, professionalism and ability to interact with customers make his appointment an exciting addition to our Isle of Man Sales Team as we continue to strengthen our position as the major player in the local lending market”.
Conister Bank’s parent company Manx Financial Group PLC announces a 43% growth against the same period last year.
Conister Bank’s parent company Manx Financial Group PLC announces a 43% growth against the same period last year.
Profits at the locally based financial services group, which includes Conister Bank Limited, Edgewater Associates Limited and Manx FX Limited, have significantly increased in their latest published results.
Manx Financial Group PLC’s Interim Results were published this week and emphasised yet another milestone in the history of the Group.
Jim Mellon, Executive Chairman, commented: “I am pleased to report that the half year continues our progressive growth in profitability and puts us well on the road to the realisation of our strategic objectives. For the first six months of 2018, our profit before tax stands at £1.4 million representing a growth of just over 43% against the same period last year”.
Conister Bank continues to perform with profits of £1.6 million before tax which is an increase of 78% compared to last year. Overall total assets have grown by 16% to £194.8 million.
New Head of Risk and Compliance for Conister Bank.
Chartered Accountant Steven Quayle has joined Conister Bank as Associate Director and Head of Risk and Compliance.
Steven, whose most recent position was Finance Director for private bank Duncan Lawrie (IOM) Limited, brings to MFG a formidable level of expertise which will help the Group both to maintain its stature and achieve its strategic goals.
New Sales Manager for Conister Bank Limited
Conister Bank is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Sales Manager, Tom Charmer.
Tom brings to Conister a portfolio of skills and expertise which make him ideal for his new role. As a lifelong Isle of Man resident, Tom has been a part of the local banking and finance industry since finishing high school.
Conister Bank Limited Appoints New Associate Directors
Conister Bank Limited is pleased to announce two promotions to senior management from within the organisation. Haseeb Qureshi, (Chief Operating Officer), and Andy Bass, (Head of Isle of Man Sales), have both been promoted to the position of Associate Director with immediate effect.
The appointments are part of a number of internal organisational changes to Conister’s management structure designed to continue to develop growth, which has continued to increase over the last twelve months.
Haseeb and Andy will continue in their respective roles as an integral part of Conister’s operational departments, whilst also helping to deliver strategy, product development, staff progression and provide overall management oversight. These appointments will allow the Board and Conister’s Senior Management to delegate additional functions, providing them with more time to focus on and plan for Conister’s future success.
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Key appointments signal strong future for Conister Bank
Conister Bank is delighted to announce two appointments which is great news for the future of the bank.
Douglas Grant takes up the position of Managing Director, with James Smeed promoted to the bank’s Finance Director. Douglas moved to the Isle of Man in 1996 with his wife Wendy and has two children; he joined Conister in 2010 as Finance Director, having previously worked for them as a financial consultant. He has over 35 years’ experience in finance, working with UK and Manx companies in both the public and private sectors. In tandem with his new post, he will remain the Group Finance Director of Manx Financial Group PLC, the parent company of Conister Bank.
Conister put their hearts into charity relay
A special charity fundraising day on Thursday 6th April saw Conister Bank raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. Sixty-nine members of staff took part in the Conister Prom Relay, walking return laps of Douglas Promenade in a series of waves through the morning and early afternoon.
Members of Conister Bank and sister company Edgewater Associates and MFX completed the 3-mile walk in teams of eight. The first team set off at 8.30am, with all remaining teams following at 30-minute intervals until 12.30pm. The bank pledged to donate £3 for each mile walked, and staff arranged cake sale, quiz and a raffle. After the event, the teams gathered at the Claremont Hotel to enjoy food and drink in Coast Restaurant, and hear the grand total of funds raised.
