About First Rate Financial Planning
First Rate Financial Planning is a leading Dublin based independent mortgage & financial services brokerage. The company is headed up by Shay Fitzpatrick & Kevin McNerney who have over 50 years combined experience in the financial services sector.
Since its inception, First Rate has been a leading adviser in the mortgage market in Ireland, helping individuals and families source finance for property purchases. First Rate has built up an enviable position as an expert provider of advice, and enjoys excellent business relationships with a wide number of mortgage providers. This has enabled First Rate to arrange mortgages for customers without fuss and on very competitive terms.
First Rate also offers a broad range of financial solutions to customers. The company offers full financial planning solutions, enabling customers to maximise their financial assets, protect their families and businesses, and plan for their long-term futures.
First Rate Financial Planning is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Meet The Team
Shay Fitzpatrick
Shay has enjoyed a successful career in the Financial Services industry over the last 30 years. Having commenced his career with Irish Permanent, Shay established himself as a key member of their branch management team, with his expertise also being utilised in training and educating staff across their branch network.
During this time, Shay also gained a degree in Marketing, specialising in Behavioural Science, as well as qualifying as a Qualified Financial Adviser.
Between his time in the bank and establishing First Rate, Shay worked in two of the larger Mortgage Brokerage firms in Ireland at management level. In these roles he was responsible for managing teams of advisors and helping the companies achieve, and exceed, their targets while continuing to also look after his own clients and their financial needs.
Shay established First Rate Financial Planning in 2004, recognising the demand for a specialist mortgage adviser in the Irish market.
Kevin McNerney
Kevin has broad experience in the Financial Services industry that he utilises in bringing expert solutions to the clients of First Rate Financial Planning. Having achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Property Studies in DIT, Kevin also then qualified as Qualified Financial Adviser, with an attaching Diploma in Financial Advice and Mortgage Practice.
Starting his career as a mortgage adviser, Kevin established The Financial Planning Company in 2007 as part of the Citadel Group. He built up a strong network of clients, providing mortgage and broader financial advice to them, and establishing an excellent reputation for innovative solutions delivered in a highly professional manner.
Kevin is a regular and sought-after columnist in national newspapers, commenting on a broad range of personal finance topics.
In 2013, Kevin teamed up with Shay Fitzpatrick to assist in establishing First Rate Financial Planning as a leading provider of a broad range of financial services in Dublin and surrounding areas.
First Rate Financial Planning Association’s
First Rate Financial Planning is an active member of a number of leading industry groups, which enables us to keep our knowledge and client propositions at the frontier of market developments,
• The Association of Expert Mortgage Advisers (AEMA) – the leading network of mortgage professionals in Ireland• The Irish Brokers Association (IBA) – the longest established network of insurance brokers in Ireland
• The Trusted Advisor Group – Ireland’s leading network of financial advice professionals.
