I am married to Margaret for the last 30 years. We have 3 grown up children. I have 34 years experience in the Financial Services Industry. I spent 26 years with Royal Liver Assurance LTD, where I got to know many of our clients, as Sales Manager. I have spent the last 9 years working in partnership with Denis O'Sullivan. I qualified as a Q.F.A in 2001. My hobbies include all sports and travel. I sincerely hope you will allow us the privilege of dealing with your financial affairs and reaching your financial goals.
Jane Casey
Jane has 18 years experience in the Insurance industry. She joined Cotter & O'Sullivan Financial Services in 2012 as an office manager having previously worked with Zurich Life for 15 years. During this time she gained extensive knowledge in Pensions, Investments and Protection products. She holds a BA (Honours) in Business Administration. She is a qualified financial advisor and is a Graduate Associate Member of the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development. Jane is married to David and has three children. In her spare time Jane enjoys running.
Denis O'Sullivan
I have worked in the Financial Services Industry for the past 18 years. Initially I worked as a Senior Financial Advisor with Royal Liver Assurance before starting up Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services in 2006 with Seamus. I am a Qualified Financial Advisor and I also hold a Pensions Diploma (LIAP) and a Mortgage Diploma (LIAM) with the Life Insurance Association of Ireland. I am married to Nora and have one daughter, Ellen. I love going to matches and also enjoy gardening. I would be delighted to help you and your family in securing your financial future.
Life Assurance & Mortgage Protection
Life assurance policies pay out a lump sum or a regular income on the insured
person’s death.
What would happen to your family if you never made it home from work
today?
With life assurance, you can make sure your family is protected even if the worst
happens to you. It makes sense to take precautions against the financial impact of
your death. Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services will help you assess your need for
life assurance cover. This will depend on your age, family circumstances and lifestyle.
Typically you will want your mortgage and any loans cleared. You may wish to
provide a fund for burial and allow your surviving partner to take time off work. You
may also wish to replace your income for a time while your children are dependent.
We will assess what cover you have in place through mortgage protection, pension
schemes, other policies and social welfare benefits. If there is a deficit in cover
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services can advise on the best way of providing the
cover through term assurance or whole of life cover; the term length of the policy;
whether cover is provided by a lump sum or income benefit, or a mix of the two. We
will also compare policies from across a number of different life assurance companies
with whom we hold agencies with and recommend the most appropriate for you.
Mortgage Protection
Life is full of surprises. Being prepared for unexpected turns in the road is important.
Mortgage protection is generally the lowest cost security in financial planning.
In most cases, mortgage protection is a legal requirement. Even if there are
exceptions to this legal requirement, the lender will typically insist on the cover.
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services can get you the best quality cover at the most
competitive cost based on product provider with whom we hold agencies with.
Remember, you are not obliged to take cover from the lending institution. In fact
it is illegal for a bank to offer you a mortgage on condition you take your Mortgage Protection
with them.
At its most basic, mortgage protection is life assurance that runs in parallel with the
outstanding mortgage amount.
Your home is probably: THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT YOU HAVE MADE
Income Protection
Income protection provides cover for periods of long absence from work
due to accident or illness. Income protection pays a taxable income
benefit if you are unable to work. Tax relief is available at your marginal
rate on premiums paid.
Accident or illness. Unable to work? Don’t worry!
The key question with this cover is when should the benefit start paying out? The
“deferred period” can be 4,8,13,26 or 52 weeks. This means you must be off work for
more than your selected deferred period before the cover kicks in. After that time you
are covered up to retirement should your illness or disability last that long.
If your job covers your income for long periods, or if you have significant financial
resources to support you, you could take a longer deferred period, which would
reduce the cost of the cover. Alternatively, you might seek a shorter deferred period,
which is available for certain occupations.
Some occupations will not be eligible for cover while others will attract higher
premiums. You should discuss the nature of your job, particularly any risk factors
associated with it, with us so we can give you a clear idea of the cost and availability
of cover.
Retirement Planning
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services advise on Retirement Savings, Directors Pensions, Personal Pensions, Self-Administered Pensions, Group Pensions, Pension Transfers and Post Retirement Options (AMRF'S, ARF's and Annuities).
Pensions are a tax efficient way of saving.
You get tax relief on your contributions at your marginal rate;
Funds accumulate tax free until retirement
25% of your fund or 1.5 times salary tax-free at retirement.
You can save personally, either through a personal pension, PRSA or AVC. Or you
can save through a company, with an executive pension, company scheme or AVC.
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services can advise on the best options for your
particular circumstances based on product provider with whom we hold
agencies with.
Pension transfers
Nowadays it is commonplace for a person to have several jobs during his or her
working lifetime. This can mean you have several retirement savings accounts with
several companies. Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services can help you navigate
this complex area. We will be able to talk you through the issues involved and you
can appoint us to deal with the scheme trustees on your behalf.
Post retirement options
Having spent years building your retirement fund, it’s worth spending a bit of time
with us discussing the options available to you at retirement. For some, that will be
the traditional annuity route i.e. income for life. Others may wish to explore post
retirement investment through Approved Retirement Funds (ARFs). Either way
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services is expertly qualified to talk you through this
choice and we can recommend the most appropriate course of action for you (based
on product provider with whom we hold agencies with).
When providing advice, the firm considers the adverse impact of investment decisions on sustainability. As part of our research and assessment of products, the firm will examine the Product Providers literature to compare financial products and to make informed investment decisions about ESG products. The firm will at all times act in the client’s best interests and keep clients informed accordingly. The consideration of sustainability risks can impact on the returns of financial products.
When assessing products, we will consider the different approach taken by product providers in terms of them integrating sustainability risks into their product offering. This will form part of our analysis for choosing a product provider.
Savings & Investments
It’s your money – it’s your choice where to invest it.
Investing your money for the medium to long term is a big decision. So before you make that
leap, it’s important to know that you’ll have the choice as to how and where your money is
invested and flexibility to change your investment choices if your personal circumstances
change.
At Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Limited, you can choose from a wide range of
funds and you can save a lump sum or a regular amount every month. We recommend that
you talk to us so we can help you choose the savings product that is best suited for you.
Credit Union Investments
Cotter & O'Sullivan work very closely with Investment Product Manufacturers to provide innovative, bespoke, secure products for Credit Unions whilst satisfying the Trustee Investment Order, Credit Union Investment Guidance Notes and CP88 directive. - This ensures the products we offer to Credit Unions will be a perfect match in key areas of:
Regulatory Requirements
Capital Protection
Regular Income
Credit Ratings
Cotter & O'Sullivan Financial Services also carry out due diligence on counterparties taking into consideration, Financial Strength and Credit Risk in assessing these. This insures the products we offer Credit Unions are the most suitable and secure available at the time. We only offer Credit Union products backed by Financial Institutions of High Investment Grade quality. We can also offer Credit Unions once off bespoke investments specifically tailored to the Credit Unions requirements.
Cotter & O'Sullivan Financial Services Ltd are Investment Advisors
Religious Orders & Charity Investments
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services offer Investment Advisory Services to a large variety of
organisations. We have been working with Religious Orders, Congregations and Charities for over 15
years. In this time we have gained an indepth understanding of their Investment objectives and
requirements. Integral to our approach is understanding each client's circumstances and financial
requirements. We work with our clients to define those requirements, and then assist in
implementing them.
Cotter & O'Sullivan Terms of Business
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd
These Terms of Business set out the general terms under which our firm will provide
business services to you and the respective duties and responsibilities of both the firm and
you in relation to such services. Please ensure that you read these terms thoroughly and if
you have any queries we will be happy to clarify them. If any material changes are made to
these terms we will notify you.
Authorisation with the Central Bank of Ireland
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd (C43447) is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland as an insurance intermediary registered under the European Communities
(Insurance Mediation) Regulations,2005; as an Investment Intermediary authorised under the Investment Intermediaries Act, 1995. Copies of our regulatory authorisations are
available on request. The Central Bank of Ireland holds registers of regulated firms. you may
contact the central Bank of Ireland on 1890 777 777 or alternatively visit their website at
www.centralbank.ie to verify our credentials.
Codes of Conduct
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. is subject to the Consumer protection Code,
Minimum Competency Code and Fitness & Probity Standards which offer protection to
consumers. These Codes can be found on the Central Bank's website www.centralbank.ie
Our Services
Cotter & o Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. is a member of Brokers Ireland.
Our principal business is to provide advice and arrange transactions on behalf of clients in
relation to life & pensions/mortgages/general insurance products. A full list of insurers,
product producers and lending agencies with which we deal is available on request.
Insurance Intermediary Services
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. acts as an Impartial Broker which means that:
the principal regulated activities of the firm are provided on the basis of a fair
analysis of the market
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. is remunerated by commission and other
payments from product producers on the completion of business
you have the option to pay in full for our services by means of a fee.
Fair And Personal Analysis
The concept of fair analysis is derived from the Insurance Mediation Directive. lt describes
the extent of the choice of products and providers offered by an intermediary within a
particular category of life assurance, savings,investments ,pensions or a specialist area. The
number of contracts and providers considered must be sufficiently large to enable an
intermediary to recommend a product that would be adequate to meet a client's needs.
The number of providers that constitutes 'sufficiently large' will vary depending on the
number of providers operating in the market for a particular product or service and their
relative importance in and share of that market. The extent of fair analysis must be such
that could be reasonably expected of a professional conducting business, taking into
account the accessibility of information and product placement to intermediaries and the
cost of the search.
ln order to ensure that the number of contracts and providers is sufficiently large to
constitute a fair analysis of the market, we will consider the following criteria:
the needs of the customer
the size of the customer order
the number of providers in the market that deal with brokers
the market share of each of those providers
the number of relevant products available from each provider
the availability of information about the products
the quality of the product and service provided by the provider
cost
any other relevant consideration
Investment Intermediary Services
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd, acts as an Impartial Broker which means that:
the principal regulated activities of the firm are provided on the basis of a fair analysis
of the market
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. is remunerated by commission and other
payments from product producers on the completion of business
you have the option to pay in full for our services by means of a fee
Life & Pensions, Deposits & Life Wrapped Products
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. provides life assurance and pensions on a fair
analysis basis i.e. providing services on the basis of a sufficiently large number of contracts
and product producers available on the market to enable us to make a recommendation, in
accordance with professional criteria, regarding which contract would be adequate to meet
the your needs.
We will provide assistance to you for any queries you may have in relation to the policies or
in the event of a claim during the life of the policies and we will explain to you the various
restrictions, conditions and exclusions attached to your policy. However, it is your
responsibility to read the policy documents, literature and brochures to ensure that you
understand the nature of the policy cover; particularly in relation to PHI and serious illness
policies.
Specifically on the subject of permanent health insurance policies it is our policy to explain
to you
the meaning of disability as defined in the policy
the benefits available under the policy
the general exclusions that apply to a policy
the reductions applied to the benefit where there are disability payments from other
sources. NOTE Please also refer to the policy documentation
For a specified illness policy, we will explain clearly to you the restrictions, conditions and
general exclusions that attach to that policy.
Disclosure of Information
Any failure to disclose material information may invalidate your claim and render your
policy void.
Statement Of Charges
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. is remunerated by commission and
other payments from product producers on the completion of business. You may choose to
pay in full for our services by means of a fee. Where we receive recurring commission, this
forms part of the remuneration for initial advice provided. We reserve the right to charge
additional fees if the number of hours relating to on-going advice/assistance exceeds 5 hrs.
In certain circumstances, it will be necessary to charge a fee for services provided.
These are listed below for Life, Pensions, Investments and Standard PRSAs. In other
circumstances where fees are chargeable or where you choose to pay in full for our
service by fee, we will notify you in writing in advance and agree the scale of fees to be
charged if different from fees outlined below.
If we receive commission from a product provider, this may be offset against the fee which
we will charge you. Where the commission is greater than the fee due, the commission may
become the amount payable to the firm unless an arrangement to the contrary is made.
Life, Pensions and Life Wrapped Investment Fees
You may elect to deal with us on a fee basis.
Principles / Directors €250.00
Senior Advisers €250.00
Associates €125.00
Support staff €100.00
Additional fees may be payable for complex cases or to reflect value, specialist skills or
urgency, our scale of fees for such cases range from a minimum of €250.00 per hour to a
maximum of €350.00 per hour. We will notify you in advance and agree the scale of fees to
be charged.
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts - Fees
Where advice is requested for PRSAs, the following hourly fees will apply:
Advisor fees: €250.00 per hour
Support staff: €100.00 per hour
Additional fees may be payable for complex cases or to reflect value, specialist skills or
urgency. We will notify you in advance of providing you with these services, our scale of fees
for such cases range from a minimum of €250.00 per hour to a maximum of €350.00 per
hour. lf we receive commission from a product provider, this will be offset against the fee
which we will charge you. Where the commission is greater than the fee due, the
commission will become the amount payable to the intermediary unless an arrangement to
the contrary is made.
Regular Reviews
It is in your best interests that you review, on a regular basis, the products which we have
arranged for you. As your circumstances change, your needs will change. You must advise us
of those changes and request a review of the relevant policy so that we can ensure that you
are provided with up to date advice and products best suited to your needs, Failure to
contact us in relation to changes in your circumstances or failure to request a review, may
result in you having insufficient insurance cover and/or inappropriate investments.
Conflicts of interest
It is the policy of our firm to avoid conflicts of interest in providing services to you. However,
where an unavoidable conflict of interest arises we will advise you of this in writing before
providing you with any service. A full copy of our conflicts of interest policy is available on
request.
Default on payments by clients
Our firm will exercise its legal rights to receive payments due to it from clients (fees and
insurance premiums)for services provided. In particular, without limitation of the generality
of the foregoing, the firm will seek reimbursement for all payments made to insurers on
behalf of clients where the firm has acted in good faith in renewing a policy of insurance for
the client.
Product producers may withdraw benefits or cover in the event of default on payments due
under policies of insurance or other products arranged for you. We would refer you to
policy documents or product terms for the details of such provisions.
Complaints
Whilst we are happy to receive verbal complaints, it would be preferable that any
complaints are made, in writing. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days
and we will fully investigate it. We shall investigate the complaint as swiftly as possible, and,
the complainant will receive an update on the complaint at intervals of not greater than 20
business days starting from the date on which the complaint is made. On completion of our
investigation, we will provide you with a written report of the outcome. In the event that
you are still dissatisfied with our handling of or response to your complaint, you are entitled
to refer the matter to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). A full copy of
our complaints procedure is available on request.
Data Protection
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. complies with the requirements of the General
Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data protection Act 201g
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd. is committed to protecting and respecting your
privacy. We wish to be transparent on how we process your data and show you that we are
accountable with the GDPR in relation to not only processing your data but ensuring you
understand your rights as a client.
The data will be processed only in ways compatible with the purposes for which it was given
and as outlined in our Data Privacy Notice, this will be given to all our clients at the time of
data collection.
We will ensure that this Privacy Notice is easily assessible. Please refer to our website
www.cosfs.com, if this medium is not suitable we will ensure you can easily receive a hard
copy. Please contact us at info@cosfs.com if you have any concerns about your personal
data.
Compensation Scheme
We are members of the Investor Compensation Scheme operated by the Investor
Compensation Company Ltd. See below for details.
Investor Compensation Scheme
The Investor Compensation Act, 1-998 provides for the establishment of a compensation
scheme and the payment, in certain circumstances, of compensation to certain clients
(known as eligible investors) of authorised investment firms, as defined in that Act.
The Investor Compensation Company Ltd. (ICCL) was established under the 1998 Act to
operate such a compensation scheme and our firm is a member of this scheme.
Compensation may be payable where money or investment instruments owed or belonging
to clients and held, administered or managed by the firm cannot be returned to those
clients for the time being and where there is no reasonably foreseeable opportunity of the
firm being able to do so.
A right to compensation will arise only:
If the client is an eligible investor as defined in the AcU and I If it transpires that the firm is not in a position to return client money or investment
instruments owned or belonging to the clients of the firm; and
r To the extent that the client's loss is recognised for the purposes of the Act.
Where an entitlement to compensation is established, the compensation payable will be the
lesser of:
a gO% of the amount of the client's loss which is recognised for the purposes of the
Investor Compensation Act, 1998; or
r Compensation of up to €20,000.
For further information, contact the Investor Compensation Company Ltd. at (01) 224 4955.
Brokers Ireland Compensation Fund
We are also members of the Brokers Ireland Compensation Fund. Subject to the rules of the
scheme the liabilities of its members firms up to a maximum of €100,000 per client (or
€25O,OOO in aggregate) may be discharged by the fund on its behalf if the member firm is
unable to do so, where the above detailed Investor Compensation Scheme has failed to
adequately compensate any client of the member. Further details are available on request.
COTTER & O SULLIVAN FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD PRIVACY POLICY
This is the privacy notice for Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd and it relates to our privacy practices in connection with our website. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of other websites. Any external links to other websites are clearly identifiable as such. Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd respects the rights of users of our website and is committed to protecting your privacy under the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018, at all times. We will not collect any personal information (also referred to as personal data) about you on our website without your permission or otherwise in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
Collection and use of Personal Data
Except in relation to certain specific features of our website, you do not have to provide us with any personal information (or personal data) to use our website. However, where you elect to give us your personal data through our website via online feedback forms or web email then we will treat your personal information in accordance with this notice.
Web Browsing
By simply visiting our website you do not disclose, nor do we collect, personal data on you. All that we may know about your visit may be limited to technical data such as;
The logical address (or IP address) of the server you used to access this website
The top level domain name from which you access the internet (for example .ie, .com, .org, .net)
The previous website address from which you reached us
The type of web-browser you used
Web traffic data (the amount of data sent and received by visitors to a web site. This is determined by the number of visitors and the number of pages they visit.
The technical data may be used for administrative and statistical purposes and may be shared with our internet service provider. We may use this information to help us to improve our website. This technical data does not provide us with the personal data of visitors to our website.
Cookies
This website uses “cookies” technology. A cookie is a piece of text stored by the browser on your computer, at the request of our server. You are always free to decline our cookies, if your browser permits, or to ask your browser to indicate when a cookie is being sent. You can also delete cookie files from your computer at your discretion. Note that if you decline our cookies or ask for notification each time a cookie is being sent, this may restrict your ease of use of this website.
Giving us your Personal Information
Please note that where you provide us with your personal information (e.g. name, e-mail address, work address, telephone and mobile phone numbers and/or other contact information), through a facility provided on our website or directly to us by e-mail, you consent to us;
Processing and administering your personal data to perform all necessary actions to give effect to your request or instruction;
Retaining a record of incoming and outgoing communications (e.g. email).
Information in the email we receive and send will not be disclosed to any third party without the permission of the sender unless otherwise in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Please note that by using Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd’s website you are giving us your consent to process your personal data as outlined in this Privacy Notice. Your consent is also provided to any successor or assignee Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd and/or any of its businesses. We inform all persons who submit their personal data to us of these conditions by this Privacy Notice.
Security of Data
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd takes seriously its security obligations in respect of your personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018, to prevent unauthorised access to, or alteration or destruction of personal data in our possession.
Right of Access
You have a right to enquire or to be given a copy of any of your personal data held by us, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018, subject to certain exceptions. To request a copy of your personal data please send your request in writing to us at Data Protection Officer, Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd, Riverpark House, Marina Commercial Park, Cork.
In order to deal with your request efficiently, please note the following important requirements;
We ask that you provide use with your name and address, and a description of the data you require (a confirmation / summary or everything we hold for you on our records).
Right of Rectification or Erasure
If we hold incorrect information about you which was originally submitted by you through this website, you have the right to have the data amended. Further, you have the right to have any information you have sent to us via this website erased. To request your right to rectification and/or erasure please send your request to us in writing to: Data Protection Officer, Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd, Marina Commercial Park,Cork.
In order to deal with your request efficiently, please note the following important requirements;
Your name and address.
A description of the specific personal data you wish rectified.
If you request an erasure of your personal data all your data will be erased subject to the following important notice.
We are not required to rectify or erase your data where to do so would prevent you from meeting your contractual obligations to us or where we are required to process (including retaining) your personal data for a lawful purpose in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018
Behavioural Remarketing
Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd may use remarketing services to advertise on third party websites to you after you visited our Service. We and our third-party vendors use cookies to inform, optimize and serve ads based on your past visits to our Service. Google AdWords remarketing service is provided by Google Inc. You can opt-out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising and customize the Google Display Network ads by visiting the Google Ads Settings page. Google also recommends installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on for your web browser. Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on provides visitors with the ability to prevent their data from being collected and used by Google Analytics. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page.
Service Providers
We may employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate our service, to provide the service on our behalf, to perform service-related services or to assist us in analysing how our service is used.
These third parties have access to your Personal Information only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018.
Business
If Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, your Personal Information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your Personal Information is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.
Children’s Privacy
Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13 (“Children”). We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your Child has provided us with Personal Information, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Information from children under age 13 without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.
Future Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at Cotter & O Sullivan Financial Services Ltd, Riverpark House, Marina Commercial Park,Cork.
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