The advisers who played Santa this year

Despite the turmoil of 2022, from eye-watering inflation to fears over the ongoing war in Ukraine, advisers have helped their clients achieve their ambitions - no matter how odd or tricky the request. 

Many planners and brokers told FTAdviser how clients had asked them about crypto this year (or "telling me crypto is the safest asset in existence", according to one adviser).

But there have been some pretty curious requests. 

Dan Elkington, financial planner for MT Financial Management, said: "A bloke had a pension, he also farmed cows - mixed dairy and beef - and wanted to buy a new bull as his old one had died in curious circumstances, so PCLS paid for it.

"Compliance were a pain about it as usual: 'Can't he take a loan?'"

Perhaps he should have offered her... wait for it ... Elf Insurance.... 

Ian Else, founder of 4 Financial Planning, also had a client with an agricultural bent. 

He said: "I had a client who wanted a vineyard. She wanted to buy some land in Devon and start producing English wine."

He said he advised her that if this was a 'hobby business', then she should go for it, but if she needed to support herself financially with it, then do not do it.

"There was so much initial outlay on the land and equipment for bottling, and so on. But she didn't [need to support herself financially with it], she is passionate about it and she's going ahead with it", he added.

Working with animals and family

Other advisers said they had requests relating to pets or children. Often, people want to take out policies for their new puppies or kittens. 

But a few Christmases ago, Alan Knowles, owner of Cura Financial Services, said he was contacted by a lady who wanted life insurance for her pet snakes.

"She had 50 or more snakes and wanted someone to come look after them and not have to separate/move them."

In this instance, Knowles could not play Santa. He said: "I tried to encourage her to take sickness plans instead as there was a clearer need for this.

"She didn’t take anything out in the end but I wouldn’t have felt comfortable recommending life cover."

Perhaps he should have offered her... wait for it ... Elf Insurance.... 

We had to get the policy documents to him by 24/12 so he could wrap them as a present on Christmas Day.Keith Churchouse, Chapters Financial

Another adviser helped a family unlock money from their investment portfolio for their teenage daughter who wanted to transition.

There are, of course, the occasional questions that would stump even the Big Guy himself on Christmas Eve: one adviser was asked about "lost income due to children not being able to go to school and having to take the day off".

Keith Churchouse, director of Chapters Financial, helped a rather unromantic chap buy policy documents for his wife. 

"I once had a client who urgently needed to start a new pension for his wife in December.

"We had to get the policy documents to him by 24/12 so he could wrap them as a present on Christmas Day. Bet she was thrilled."

Old ones but good ones

Some advisers still remember odd requests many years ago.

For example, Jane King of Ash Ridge, said: "I did a remortgage for a confirmed bachelor who had put his name on the waiting list for a custom made, limited edition Ducati Desdemona Motor Bike.

"His name got to the top of the list and he needed £60,000. This was about 10 years ago and he still has it."

It didn’t end well, with HMRC investigating his financial affairs for the past four years.Hillier Hopkins spokesperson

According to King: "He is a bit of a character - he was married for precisely one month.

"His new wife could not get him to move the bikes and bits out of his house and so she left him. He never married since but is a bike fanatic."

On the naughty list for sure

And then there was one private client tax team who were left scratching their heads after seeing two odd pieces of work, which they have described as "less of a request, more of rectifying drunk behaviour".

The spokesperson for Hillier Hopkins said: "In one instance an individual, when celebrating, thought it would be fun to register himself for VAT.

"Having made no VAT returns, he started wondered why he was getting estimates for VAT returns from HMRC.

She had 50 or more snakes and wanted someone to come look after them and not have to separate/move them.Alan Knowles, Cura Financial 

"Secondly, a completely different individual (although there is a theme) emailed HMRC after a few drinks boasting how clever he was at avoiding tax.

"It didn’t end well, with HMRC investigating his financial affairs for the past four years."

Maybe they'll be getting a lump of coal or a visit from Krampus instead. 

Have you or your colleagues played Santa to some curious client requests? Let us know by emailing: simoney.kyriakou@ft.com

Merry Christmas!