Are you keen to invest in the financial markets to secure your future? Then you will join the 11.2m Australians who hold investments outside their institutional superannuation fund, according to the ASX Australian Investor Study 2017.

The study also reveals 60 per cent of investors take some professional advice to help them make investment decisions.

And that’s where the newest business opportunity is targeting its growth.

First Index is a bricks and mortar trading franchise network that launched this year and is now set for 10 Melbourne locations over the next three months.

This is expected to ramp up to a new franchise opening every three weeks.

The business is part of AGM Markets, a fully regulated global financial company with related offices in Europe and Israel, and it offers trading across indices, commodities, shares and foreign exchange.

What’s different about this trading opportunity is the branch-based model that allows franchisees to deliver education, expertise and service to clients.

Kevin Lacey, national franchise development manager at First Index, said “We will invest in you and your future potential, by providing extensive training, ongoing support and mentoring and equity financing. The franchisor provides 24/6 customer support to your clients.

“Our model operates in spaces from 55sqm premises up to 110sqm and offers your customers access all year round.

“We also offer a great range of class options unlike banking institutions as well as our popular ‘First Index Training Programs’, for which you obtain additional income from selling to your clients.”

Investment in the franchise starts at $100,000 for an exclusive territory with fit-out costs, depending on site size, another $100,000.

The model works with low staffing costs, Lacey said, and provides access to an AFSL licence, business management, sales and retention systems, and franchise team support and training.