About Us

Financial Grace is the third generation of a service providing education and support in matters financial. The origin starts in 1973 when as an airline pilot with TAA and as a branch secretary to the Australian Federation of Air Pilots we were concerned at the number of pilots who became victims of various promoters of financial 'opportunities'. In the process of undertaking due diligence on behalf of the pilots, it became obvious that the financial services industry had developed a culture of self-interest with clients viewed largely as a source of income.

Interestingly, the majority of financial planners were very decent people who entered the industry with the objective of being of service to clients. However, they then found that the pressure from management to increase profits for the companies, married to the ability to increase their own income from commissions, by and large shifted focus from clients to self-interest. Further study revealed that virtually all investment products marketed by the industry interposed entities in the income stream between the source and the recipient.

Many pilots had previous careers in financial services and an invitation to suggest investment strategies that best served the clients bought forth a plethora of suggestions. The review and scientific hypothesis testing revealed that core assets personally owned or controlled AND acquired at the appropriate time in the economic cycles hugely outperformed, in both net worth and reliability, the managed and tied industry products.

If you require a service from Financial Grace Pty Ltd you will be first advised of the cost (if any) and any work we do for you is fee for service. We are not remunerated through commissions or free services from financial product providers.

Financial Grace is educational first, and if requested we can gracefully create a union between personal needs and circumstances with investment exposures.

The Grace Investment Report is produced quarterly and provided electronically free of charge is to educate and inform. The publication does not serve the interests of any commercial enterprise and has no hidden agendas.

The information in this publication is not in question, it has been totally validated so frequently in so many environments by so many people in so many different situations that the material cannot be in doubt. Failure can only be the failure of the individual to do what is required.

A financial education is the best defence against exploitation

OUR PEOPLE

The founder, Brian Costello

 

 

 Brian flew as a bush pilot for many years including Adastra Airways as a Captain of Lockheed Hudson aircraft.  As an Airline Pilot Brian flew for TAA (Later merged into Qantas) and Air Nuigini based in Lae and Port Moresby.  Brian also served as a branch secretary (Queensland) on the executive of the Australian Federation of Air Pilots and as the secretary of the Papua New Guinea Air Pilots Association. During this period (1973 to 1981) Brian became involved in the assessment of investment opportunities offered to pilots. This in turn led to the development of investment strategies that best served the interests of the investor rather than those of the promoter.

Brian was the founder in 1992 of what is believed to be the first purely fee for service Financial Services Company promoting direct ownership of investment assets. Financial Grace, the company, is the continuation of the philosophy that the investor is entitled to the income and growth of investments rather than the very large number of participants in the industry who take very high salaries, bonuses and first class travel and accommodations at the expense of the investor with the investor having no idea just how much the real income may have been.

In addition to his work experience, Brian has served on a number of Boards including Qantas Founders Memorial Ltd, Quality Practice Accreditation Pty Ltd and the Rural Health Medical Infrastructure Trust. Brian has five published works under his pen name (Stuart Moore) and has produced and presented a number of investment articles for the Australian Technical Analysts Association.

Brian’s qualifications, in addition to his aviation licences and financial services regulatory qualifications, include a Diploma in Technical Analysis, Registered Representative qualification from the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE), CFTe (Certified Financial Technician), Internal Quality Management Systems Auditor and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)

 

Managing Director, Chris Waight

 

 

Chris has strong family ties being one of 15 children raised in Ballarat Victoria. Chris has been involved in the Financial Services industry for the past thirty two years starting in the Commonwealth Bank Australia for eighteen years. During the late 1980’s Chris developed a strong personal interest in the Australian share market which he pursued and completed several courses with what was then known as the Securities Institute of Australia.

Chris then took a position with NSW State Super Financial Services specializing in providing retirement advice to Senior NSW Public Servants along with NSW Police, Teachers and Local Government Employees.  Chris further developed his knowledge and skills with an appointment with HSBC advising high net worth individuals across Asia and the Middle East. 

Chris moved on to start his own business opening a “Bridges” franchise in Mildura Victoria. Having sold this business Chris was offered the position of senior planner and Responsible Manager for a Financial Services Licensee in Brisbane. Following a change in direction of this company Chris renewed a friendship with the Founder of Financial Grace accepting the role of Managing Director and Responsible Manager. Chris has used his knowledge of financial markets to provide a substantial financial base for himself and his family. Chris has always been uncomfortable with many of the practices within the industry and is delighted to be able to participate in, and direct the services of Financial Grace, the company, in providing real services to families and groups, free of hidden agendas and exploitation.

Chris has extensive qualifications including; Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) - Responsible Executive, Diploma of Financial Planning, Deakin University Vic, Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) Pinnacle Financial Services Academy NSW, Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), Pinnacle Financial Services Academy NSW.

 

Head of Equities, Pedram Firooztash

 

 

Pedram completed a Bachelor of Economics degree at University of Tasmania and holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment as well as a Diploma in Financial Planning.

His association with Brian Costello dates back to 2003 when he obtained employment with Entello Pty Ltd and quickly moved to a senior position.

Pedram appreciates challenges facing rural clients and brings a wealth of knowledge to the organisation. His style of Investment Management and past track record, makes him a perfect fit to Financial Grace. We welcome Pedram to the team.Head of Equities