Information
General information is widely available online through websites, search engines, and AI tools.
It can be educational, helpful, and informative, but it is not tailored to your individual circumstances.
About Velocity
How We Use AI in Financial Advice
A More Informed Starting Point. A More Valuable Conversation.
Technology is changing the way people access financial information. AI and online tools are making it easier than ever to explore ideas, test scenarios, and learn about financial topics before speaking with an adviser.
We see that as a positive development.
Today's clients are arriving more informed, more curious, and better prepared to engage in meaningful conversations about their financial future.
A Better Starting Point for Financial Conversations
Access to information has changed dramatically in recent years.
Whether through Google, AI tools, podcasts, videos, or online articles, financial information is more accessible than ever before. Rather than replacing professional advice, we believe this creates better opportunities for discussion.
When clients arrive with questions, ideas, and research already underway, we can spend less time explaining the basics and more time focusing on what matters most: helping them make informed decisions.
How We Use AI at Velocity
We use AI to support the work we do with you, not to replace it.
AI helps us improve efficiency behind the scenes so that we can focus more of our time and attention on our clients. This may include capturing notes from meetings, assisting with documentation, summarising information, and supporting internal workflows. By spending less time on administration, we can spend more time focused on understanding you and your goals.
Every recommendation, opinion, and piece of financial advice is still reviewed, considered, and delivered by a qualified financial adviser. AI may help us work more efficiently, but it does not replace professional judgement.
We Encourage You to Use AI Too
You don't need to come to us with a blank slate.
Many clients now arrive having explored ideas online, read articles, listened to podcasts, or asked AI tools questions about their options. Those conversations often begin with a simple question such as, "I read about this" or "What do you think of this idea?" and that's a great place to start.
We welcome those conversations. Bringing ideas to the table often leads to deeper discussions, better questions, and more informed decision-making.
Turning Information Into Something Useful
Having access to information is no longer the challenge.
The real challenge is understanding what is relevant, realistic, and appropriate for your situation.
AI and online tools can generate a wide range of ideas, but they don't know your complete financial picture. They can't fully understand your goals, priorities, personal circumstances, or the trade-offs you're willing to make. Most importantly, they can't determine what is practical and appropriate for you.
That's where professional advice adds value. By understanding your situation, we can help you evaluate options, weigh trade-offs, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Information vs Advice
There is an important distinction between information and advice.
Financial Advice
Financial advice is personalised, regulated, and accountable.
When you work with Velocity, we don't just focus on a single question, product, or financial decision.
Financial decisions rarely exist in isolation. A decision about lending, insurance, investments, KiwiSaver, business structures, or cash flow can affect other parts of your financial life.
That is why we take a holistic view of your situation. Rather than focusing solely on the immediate issue, we aim to understand the bigger picture so we can provide advice that aligns with your goals, priorities, and overall financial wellbeing.
Advice is tailored to your unique situation. Risks and trade-offs are clearly explained. Recommendations are documented, explained, and supported by professional accountability.
Many people now arrive at meetings having researched options online, listened to podcasts, read articles, or explored ideas using AI tools. This often leads to more informed and productive conversations.
AI can generate ideas and provide information, but it cannot fully understand your circumstances, priorities, goals, or the broader impact of financial decisions.
Our role is to help you identify what is relevant, understand the risks and trade-offs involved, challenge assumptions when necessary, and bring real-world context to the conversation. Ultimately, our goal is to help turn ideas into a practical plan that works for your situation.
AI helps you explore possibilities. We help you decide what makes sense for you.
In a world where information is increasingly abundant, professional judgement, accountability, and a holistic understanding of your situation matter more than ever.
Privacy, Transparency, and Your Information
When AI tools are used in our business, we do so carefully, responsibly, and transparently.
Protecting your information remains a priority.
Our Commitment
- We let you know when AI tools are being used during meetings or documentation processes.
- We take steps to ensure information is handled securely.
- We use technology that supports our privacy, compliance, and professional obligations.
Learn More
For further information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Disclosure Statement.
These documents explain how information is collected, used, stored, and protected, including where technology such as AI may be involved.
The Bottom Line
We don't see AI as a disruption to financial advice.
We see it as an opportunity for better-informed clients, more meaningful conversations, stronger collaborative relationships, and ultimately better outcomes through shared understanding.
Technology can provide information.
Good advice is still about judgement, context, accountability, and understanding the person sitting in front of you.
AI can help you explore possibilities. Good advice helps you decide.