Common questions about taking financial advice...

The most common questions we receive about our services and financial advice process are listed below. If your query is not featured here, please feel free to contact us with your question which we will answer as soon as possible.

How are you regulated?

We are an appointed representative of Mint Financial Services Ltd which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Mint is a professional network of independent financial advisers and, as members, we are authorised by the FSA to advise on pensions, investments and insurance. Our FSA registration number is 467218 which you can verify by using the FSA online firm check at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/.

How impartial is your advice?

We are fully independent and whole of market financial advisers with access to the entire UK financial services market. We are not tied to or owned by any company or provider we might recommend.

Will you justify your advice in writing?

All advice we give is accompanied by a full suitability report which confirms our recommendations to you together with a detailed explaination of the basis for those recommendations and how they meet your needs.

How are your advisers paid?

You can choose three ways to pay for our advice, each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending upon your circumstances and needs. You’re in control at all times and will always know exactly how much our advice will cost.

1. Fee only - after assessing your needs we will confirm and agree a total fee to achieve the results you want. The fee is payable direct to us by you following completion of the advice process.
2. Commission only - we are paid a commission by the provider of whichever product we recommend is most suitable for your needs.
3. Fees and commission - we can use a combination of fees and commission to reduce the upfront cost to you.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of paying by fees?

Each method of payments has advantages and disadvantages which are dependant upon your financial circumstances and needs.

The advantages of fees are:

1. There will be no deductions for commissions from any financial products recommended.
2. Any commission paid is usually rebated back into the plan or policy as extra benefits.

The disadvantages of fees are:

1. You will have to pay a lump sum, perhaps when you have other demands on your money.
2. You will have to pay for out time whether you act upon our advice or not.
3. You will have to pay for further advice and support.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of paying by commission?

Each method of payments has advantages and disadvantages which are dependant upon your financial circumstances and needs.

The advantages of commission are:

1. You don't have to pay anything up front as the commission will be taken as part of your plans charges and spread over time.
2. The effective cost to you will be less due to tax relief.
3. You will receive continued service and support for the term of the plan arranged.

The disadvantages of commission are:

1. There will be deductions from your financial plan or policy for the advisers commission.

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