DKN Financial Group

Shares / Stock Code

DKN

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

DKN Financial Group (DKN) is a buying group that provides financial services solutions to financial planning practices. It is primarily a wholesale distributor of master funds/wrap accounts, investment, superannuation and insurance products. It provides products and services to 45 dealer groups, with around 300 advisors accessing its products. DKN also takes minority stakes in financial planning practices by providing equity and funding to assist expansion, or for younger financial planners to buy into practices.

The Company’s Platform Solutions Division is responsible for sourcing and managing the distribution of platforms to the network of wealth management practices. These platforms are also known as Master Funds and Wrap accounts. DKN offers solutions to wealth mangement businesses that are in the market for acquisition, succession or expansion assistance, including access to financing, capital and transaction opportunities. The Product Solutions Division is responsible for sourcing insurance, investment and lending products for distribution through wealth management practices. Lonsdale provides the tools and structure for its 100 associated practices.

DKN offers a co-operative approach to non-aligned financial planners and provides them with the opportunity to offer a competitively priced range of products and services. It uses its scale and buying power to competitively source and package products for distribution to advisers. In order to retain its planners/advisers and encourage greater throughput of DKN sourced product, DKN operates a Partner Program, which rewards the advisers and dealers with a form of deferred equity in DKN.

DKN's clients are financial planners and dealer groups that wish to remain non-aligned to major financial institutions. DKN has a client base of over 300 financial planning practices. As a participant in the diversified financial services/wealth management industry, DKN competes against the major banks and independent wealth management companies. However, as an independent wholesaler of investment products, DKN occupies a relatively unique position within the industry.

DKN Financial Group History

The company listed on the ASX on 13 April 1989. DKN emerged in its current form on 1 January 2004 following the merger of Deakin Financial Services Group and AustChoice Financial Services. Prior to the merger, Deakin operated a financial planning dealer group with a network of 130 financial advisers. AustChoice was established in 1997 as a packager and wholesaler of investment products. The merged group changed its name to DKN Financial Group in 2004.