Independent Advice

Independent advice is not the only option available.

If you visit your high street bank you may be greeted by a financial adviser, but they could well be ‘tied’ to recommending and promoting the products of the bank, or a single insurance or investment company to which the bank has an allegiance. So why do you need independent advisers, and how can you be sure you are getting a fair deal?

Why use an independent adviser?

Independent advisers are able to select the correct product for clients from the whole of the market - that means they can potentially recommend any product from any company providing it suits the client´s needs and objectives. With such a wide choice of companies, investments and saving tools you can be reassured that you are not simply being provided with a standard recommendation - but are getting personalised and tailored advice.

To ensure you do get personal advice we will collect certain details about you and your circumstances to enable us to correctly advise you. Remember to be as open and honest as you can, because the more information you provide, the more accurate we can make our recommendations.

We provide you with the relevant important disclosure documents, detailing the following: information on services provided by the firm, how the firm is paid for the business it conducts, their complaints procedure, Data Protection and coverage under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). You can ask to see our disclosure documents at any time, simply contact us for these.

What protection do I have?

We will always endeavour to do the very best for you. Whenever you deal with us you will receive details on the complaints procedures offered by the firm. If you wish you can request a copy of these procedures at any time.

When we are advising you on regulated products (including investments, insurance and some forms of mortgages) you have the protection of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Anything else I should know?

Sometimes we give advice on products that are not regulated by FSA - such as general taxation and some Buy-to-Let mortgages. We will explain to you when you are receiving advice on an unregulated product. It is important you are happy with the advice as you do not have the added protection of FOS or FSCS when dealing with some unregulated products.