Qualified financial advisers authorised to provide off-premises advice, keeping an ear out for signs of what the future holds

A consultative body for non-regulated professions, proprietary artificial intelligence, and support for the expansion of the capital markets. Halfway through the term of office of the current National Council of ANASF (the association of financial advisers authorised to provide off-premises advice), President Luigi Conte not only took stock of the association’s progress over the last two years but also outlined the many projects for the future.

The creation of a federation of non-regulated professions in the fields of commercial, financial, credit and insurance intermediation, announced by Conte, will be promoted in close collaboration with Confesercenti and Fiarc. “The project aims to bring together,” explains Conte, “tens of thousands of professionals centred on the core principles of bespoke advice and personalised support, setting itself apart from purely commercial e-commerce models. The project has been launched to unite tens of thousands of professionals around the key concept of consultancy, marking the definitive shift from the simple sale of products to professional, bespoke support for households and businesses. The aim is to emphasise the value of human interaction, responsibility and listening to citizens’ specific needs, clearly distinguishing itself from the rigid models of e-commerce and the pitfalls of digital consumerism.”

As regards artificial intelligence, the development and testing of a specific AI model for financial advisers is scheduled to be completed and rolled out by the end of the current association’s term of office. “The aim,” explains Conte, “is to cut red tape in day-to-day management, reduce errors and free up time to devote to building a relationship of trust with the client.”

The “Economic@mente” project in schools also remains a key focus for Anasf. “The expansion of financial education programmes aimed at young people,” continues Conte, “is designed to teach them to make responsible investment choices.” Furthermore, the commitment to pension and welfare advice continues: the institutional agreement reached with Mefop is designed to equip advisers with the necessary skills to guide citizens in pension and insurance planning in the face of an ageing population.

Conte then outlined measures to support the capital market and GDP growth, an initiative that involves consultation with the Government to promote growth in the stock market by increasing the number of companies listed in Italia from fewer than 500 to 1,000, channelling household savings towards the country’s industrial production and GDP growth rather than solely towards public debt.