Count grows advisory network

Vista Financial Group has joined Count’s AFSL network, with the listed advice group deeming Vista a “role model” for other firms in the community.

Vista, which has provided financial advice to its clients for over two decades, offers a holistic suite of services including risk insurance, aged care, and estate planning assistance.

Notably, the firm last week announced plans to merge with Victorian-based firm Orange Wealth.

Upon conclusion of this merger, Vista’s team will include five financial planners, a dedicated mortgage broker, and 14 support staff.

Andrew Kennedy, chief advice officer at Count, said the licensee will benefit from having a quality business like Vista on board.

“Tyson and his team have an outstanding model that speaks for itself,” Mr Kennedy said in a statement on Monday.

“Their operating model and values align with everything we stand for, so they will be a terrific role model for other businesses in the Count community.”

Vista managing director and senior financial adviser Tyson Roberts added that a shared focus on growth and client-centric values was key in Vista’s decision to join Count.

“After a number of conversations, we found that Count had a really strong network of like-minded people,” Mr Roberts said.

“We were fortunate enough to meet a few members of the Count team as part of our discovery phase, and felt that both their head office and network of advisers were strongly aligned with the direction we’re going in.”

Mr Roberts also recognised the opportunities that Vista will be presented with as part of the Count network.

“If we chose to go down the self-licensed path, we’d have to create all of our own opportunities, but by being a part of the Count community, they can put opportunities in front of us which will really help the growth objectives we have as a business.”

Last month, Count also announced it had entered into a binding scheme implementation agreement to acquire the entirety of Diverger’s shares, amounting to 100 per cent, at a price of $45.3 million.

Moments later, Diverger’s major shareholder, HUB24, issued a statement of support for the transaction, noting it will vote in favour of the scheme in the absence of a superior proposal.

However, DMX – a holder of a 5.2 per cent stake in Diverger – believes that Count’s offer “substantially” undervalues the firm.

In a letter issued to shareholders, DMX’s management has expressed concerns about the undervaluation of Diverger and cited a “significant” disconnect between the proposed transaction’s terms and Diverger’s intrinsic value.