Most people think insurance is money you pay every month and never see again.

But with some mutual insurers, there’s a different model. Because there are no external shareholders, surplus generated by the business can ultimately be returned to members in different ways, including payments back to policyholders.

Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by ⁠⁠Ben Stewart⁠⁠, and proudly brought to you by Venture: ⁠⁠https://www.venture.co.nz⁠⁠

In this episode, Ben sits down with Quintin Augustine, Chief Product Officer at PPS Mutual. They unpack how mutual insurance works, why some insurers can return money to their members, and the difference between an insurer owned by shareholders and one owned for the benefit of its policyholders.

They also discuss how insurers price risk, why choosing the cheapest policy can cost you later, why premiums can rise over time, and how insurance could become more personalised through AI and technology.

Podcast produced & filmed by ⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠.

Most people assume ethical investing means making a trade-off — you can invest according to your values, or you can focus on returns.

But that assumption is starting to change.

Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by ⁠Ben Stewart⁠, and proudly brought to you by Venture: ⁠https://www.venture.co.nz⁠

In this episode, Ben sits down with John Berry — Co-Founder and CEO of Pathfinder — to unpack what ethical investing actually means, whether investors really have to sacrifice returns, and how to know if your money aligns with your values.

John also breaks down the difference between ethical and impact investing, how managers navigate grey areas around major companies, why some “sustainable” funds may still hold businesses you wouldn’t expect, and how KiwiSaver investors can check what they actually own.

At its core, the conversation is about whether you really have to choose between making money and investing in a way that reflects what matters to you.

Podcast produced & filmed by ⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠.

Most people think property investing is about buying the right building at the right time. But with commercial property, a lot of the value is created after you buy it.

Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by Ben Stewart, and proudly brought to you by Venture:
https://www.venture.co.nz

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sarah Wrait, Founder and Director of Azure Property. They unpack why commercial property is a long-term game, how professional management can protect and create value, and why DIY landlords can leave money on the table over time.

They also discuss the differences between commercial and residential property, how families can approach intergenerational wealth, and why the hardest part for many investors is simply getting started.

Podcast produced & filmed by ⁠Fanaticals⁠.

Most people think building wealth is about picking the right investment.

But what if success comes down to the way you think?

Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by Ben Stewart, and proudly brought to you by Venture: venture.co.nz

In this episode, Ben sits down with Dean Anderson, CEO & Founder of Kernel. They explore what happens when an investor becomes a founder, why removing emotion leads to better financial decisions, and how the same principles that build successful investment portfolios can also build successful businesses.

They also discuss why Kiwis are becoming more engaged with investing, the opportunities emerging beyond residential property, how to assess a business before buying it, and the mindset Dean believes gives people the best chance of building long-term wealth.

Shoutout to Dean for coming on the 'Beat the Bank' podcast.

Podcast produced & filmed by Fanaticals.

Most people think investing in property means buying a house or owning a building.

But what if there was another way?

Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by Ben Stewart, and proudly brought to you by Venture: venture.co.nz

In this episode, Ben sits down with Brodie Pritchard, Senior Partner at Pallas Capital. They unpack the different ways to invest in property, why some investors choose to own the debt instead of the building itself, and how commercial real estate debt fits into a diversified investment portfolio.

They also discuss the differences between direct property ownership, REITs, syndicates and private debt, why non-bank lenders are playing a bigger role in today's market, and what experienced investors look for before backing a commercial property deal.

Shoutout to Brodie for coming on the podcast.

#BeatTheBankPodcast #VentureNZ #BenStewart #Fanaticals

Most people think successful investing is about picking the right stocks.

The reality? The world’s biggest investors focus on something else first.

Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by Ben Stewart, and proudly brought to you by Venture.

In this episode, Ben sits down with Chris Douglas, Principal at Māpua Wealth. They unpack how institutions like NZ Super Fund, ACC and large iwi build wealth, why asset allocation matters more than stock picking, and what everyday investors can learn from the world’s biggest portfolios.

They also discuss why New Zealand investors often have too much home bias, the rise of private markets and infrastructure investing, and whether Bitcoin has earned its place as a legitimate asset class.

Most people think they make money when they sell a property.

The reality? You make your money when you buy it.

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠Ben Stewart⁠⁠⁠ and proudly brought to you by Venture: ⁠⁠⁠venture.co.nz⁠

In this episode, Ben sits down with Hunter Dean, Mortgage Adviser at Venture. They unpack the biggest mistakes property buyers make, why overpaying can set you back years, and how to think about property as a financial transaction rather than an emotional decision.

They also discuss why property may not double every 10 years like it has in the past, how investors can add value to properties, and the strategies people use to build wealth through property over the long term.

Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

Everyone wants to find the next Nvidia.

The challenge is that the biggest winners only look obvious in hindsight. Ten years ago, Nvidia was just another stock. Today, everyone wishes they bought it.

Hosted by Ben Stewart and proudly brought to you by Venture Wealth: https://www.venture.co.nz

This week on Beat the Bank, Ben sits down with Marek Krzeczkowski — Head of Investment Strategy & Quant at Smart — to unpack why most investors struggle to pick winning stocks, the role diversification plays in building long-term wealth, and why ETFs have become one of the fastest-growing ways to invest.

They also break down the biggest mistakes beginners make, how thematic investing actually works, and why trying to find the next big winner is often harder than people think.

Most people check their KiwiSaver every now and then… but very few people realise how much the decisions they make today can impact their retirement later on.

Hosted by Ben Stewart and proudly brought to you by Venture: www.venture.co.nz

This week on Beat the Bank, Ben sits down with Greg Smith — Investment Specialist at Generate — to break down the KiwiSaver mistakes that quietly cost people over time, from contribution rates and fund selection to panic-selling when markets get volatile.

They unpack why “set and forget” can sometimes become “set and regret”, how small changes can make a massive difference over the long term, and why understanding your KiwiSaver matters more than most people think.

Most people think investing is simple — buy when markets go up, panic when they go down.That’s usually where people get it wrong. This week on Beat the Bank, we sit down with Matthew Goodson — Managing Director at Salt Funds Management and one of New Zealand’s most experienced fund managers — who has spent decades helping investors navigate markets on both sides of the cycle. Matthew breaks down how short selling actually works, why some investors can make money when markets fall, and why reacting emotionally often does more damage than the market itself. Hosted by Ben Stewart and proudly brought to you by Venture Wealth: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-stewart-cima⁠⁠https://www.venture.co.nz/⁠