Independent Advice

Independent advice is not the only option available.

If you go to 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 company to which the bank has an allegiance. So why do we need independent advisers, and how can customers be sure they are getting a fair deal?

The Financial Services Authority

The FSA, to give it its shorter title is the government watchdog that regulates all financial and insurance firms – this ranges from the largest multinational bank, to the financial adviser operating as a sole trader. The FSA handbook of rules and guidance lays down the laws to which all Financial Advisers must adhere, and the way they treat customers is governed by the ‘Conduct of Business’ (COB) rules. The rules are freely available from the FSA’s website– www.fsa.gov.uk. Please note: this is an external site and our firm is not responsible for the content.

How do I know the company I am dealing with is independent?

Independent advisers are able to select the correct product for customers from the entire market – that means they can potentially recommend any product from any insurance company providing it suits the customer’s needs and objectives. With such a wide choice of companies the customer can be reassured that they are not simply being provided with a standard recommendation – and are getting personalised advice.

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

From June 2005, all financial advisers have to provide their customers with the relevant important documents:

‘Key Facts about our services' tells customers about the firm’s activities, whether they offer advice from the whole market, or a range of companies, or even a single firm. It also includes information about the firm being authorised and regulated by the FSA, and how to make a complaint, should customers be dissatisfied.

'Key Facts about the cost of our services' tells the customer about the service provided by the firm, the payment options and the way in which the firm is remunerated. This document is only provided to clients obtaining Investment advice.

The firm will usually have their own 'Terms of Business' in addition to the Key Facts document(s). This will include more information about the firm. Please note a Terms of Business is not required to be provided for advice on Mortgages and Insurance.

You can ask to see these documents at any time. Use the 'contact us' page to request these.

What protection do I have?

Your adviser will always endeavour to do the very best for you. Whenever you deal with a financial adviser 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 the adviser is advising you on regulated products (including insurance and mortgages) you have the protection of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

If you are unhappy about the advice or service you have received you should firstly contact the firm that provided the advice or service. This gives them the chance to put things right and/or to provide their own version of events. Should you remain dissatisfied you can refer your complaint to FOS who will investigate the complaint independently and make a ruling. FOS work with customers and financial advisers to resolve a complaint, and when they do have to make a ruling it is binding upon the firm.

If you try to submit a complaint to a firm and the firm is dissolved, or unable to meet its obligations, you may have recourse to the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). This is a service funded by all the companies within the industry to protect customers where firms have closed or gone into liquidation.

Anything else I should know?

Some financial advisers do give advice on products that are not regulated by FSA – such as buy-to-let mortgages or general taxation advice. Your adviser 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.