Independent financial advice: worth the money?
Posted: Thursday 2 August 2012
A recent article on the This is Money website highlighted ordinary peoples’ fears for their money in the wake of the resurgent financial crisis. Analysis of internet search data shows that with every wobble of the banks or the Eurozone, the use of search terms like “savings”, “investments” and “advice” increases. Indeed the research shows that the highest volume of these searches of all came in late 2008 with the collapse of Icesave and the first wave of bank and building society bail-outs. And last week – with Spain in deepening crisis and decreasing confidence in the Euro – they were on the rise again.
Despite these obviously widespread concerns, the article notes that only 18% of consumers have ever actually paid for independent financial advice. Yet advice often pays for itself many times over, and those who benefit from it tend to save more, be less inclined to panic in the wake of crises like the current one, and have better-performing savings – leading to pension pots roughly twice the size of their peers when they retire.
Looking at these outcomes, seeking independent financial advice seems like a common-sense decision. But where do you begin? The article gives a number of tips on finding an advisor you can work with, but why not stick with a firm you know and have your will, investments, property purchases and pension dealt with by one team working seamlessly together? Morton Fraser employs a skilled team of financial advisors, including Chris Ness, an expert on pension planning. They work closely with their colleagues in other areas of our Private Client team to look after all aspects of clients’ wealth and financial planning.
If you’d like to discuss your plans for your money and find out how to make it work for you, then contact Sue Hunter, Head of Morton Fraser's Private Client Division, on 0131 247 1054 or via email.
