Fortress Fund Managers: Financial literacy important

Investment Director of Fortress Fund Managers, Roger Cave, believes that financial literacy is an important area in which the public must look into, to broaden their knowledge of the opportunities for investment and positive returns, even in these pandemic times.

Speaking to the media last week, Cave acknowledged that in Barbados and the world over, financial literacy is a challenge. The director also referenced the fact that financial literacy was not formally taught in schools as a possible reason for the lack in the area.

Marketing Manager, Kin Howard, expanded on the point, saying that Fortress had actively been making strides in educating the public through the Fortress Investment Forum, now in its 11th year.

“Essentially every year we do our annual investment forum. It is nothing we are mandated to do, but we do it for the purpose of sharing with our investors and the public at large about matters of investing and how that impacts the general lives of people,” said Howard.

The marketing manager also highlighted an online podcast, hosted by Fortress Fund Managers, which has a focus on bringing people into a place of comfort, discussing financial matters so they can gravitate towards a frame of mind to approach investment.

Cave explained that those persons who had funds to invest, should reach out and do some research as there is a significant amount of information online. He urged persons who were unsure about investment to make a positive step and pick up the phone and read online about the various products and services offered by multiple financial companies, and seek guidance and advice from them.

“There is investment opportunity from the local providers and persons can get informed and get involved,” said Cave.

Chief Investment Officer, Peter Arender, also expressed that investment was not scary and it was the same with anything one does not know. He explained that once research was done, Fortress and other providers were there to help with the next step.

“We all start not knowing things, you just sit down and get yourself familiar, start asking questions and it does not take long to discover and it is an essential part of life. It is not an optional thing, it is like knowing how to cross the street and knowing anything about your own personal safety and functioning in life. Understanding how basic financial products work like mutual funds, that is a necessary life skill and is definitely worth the time to sit down and learn the basics,” encouraged Arender. (AS)