From friendly society to ASX 200 company, this is the history of Insignia Financial, one of Australia’s oldest financial institutions. From a meeting of friends in a Melbourne pub in 1846 to an ASX-listed company, this is the story of one of Australia’s oldest financial institutions. Founded as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the IOOF friendly society provided Australians with social & financial services governments did not offer. Funeral funds, medical insurance and sickness & injury allowances from IOOF ensured working families were able to withstand life’s misfortunes. Today, Insignia Financial continues to support the financial wellbeing of thousands of Australians with a range of wealth management and retirement investment services.Drawing on interviews with past and present company leaders and employees, and extensive archival research, IOOF to Insignia Financial traces the growth and maturing of the financial services industry in post-war Australia and into the 21st century. It is a fascinating account of momentous corporate change, as well as continuity of a spirit of service across the decades.
