The former director of a failed finance company asked a judge if he could still take his holiday in Fiji after pleading guilty to misleading investors.

The Serious Fraud Office has accused North Shore financial adviser Evan Cherry of swindling family and friends in a fraud worth at least $5 million.

The receivers for failed lender Lombard Finance & Investments is likely to make a claim against third parties as they seek to claw back funds for jilted investors, according to their latest report.